President Donald Trump intensified his public feud with Pope Leo XIV on Monday morning, issuing a sharp critique of the pontiff’s leadership and political focus. The comments, posted to the President's social media platform, come as Leo XIV, the first American-born pope embarks on an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa.
President Trump claimed credit for the Pope’s current standing, stating that if he were not in the White House, "Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican." The President urged the Holy Father to "get his act together," calling for him to utilize "Common Sense" in his administration.
Trump further accused the pontiff of "catering to the Radical Left" and demanded he "focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician." These remarks mark a significant deterioration in relations between Washington and the Holy See, strained over recent administration foreign policy decisions.
Pope Leo XIV has recently been vocal in his opposition to the U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran, describing a "delusion of omnipotence" driving the war. Aboard his flight to Algiers on Monday, the Pope responded to the President’s post by telling reporters he has "no fear" of the administration.
"I don’t want to get into a debate with him," Leo XIV said, adding that the Gospel should not be "abused" for political purposes. The Vatican has not issued an official formal rebuttal to the President’s specific claims regarding the Pope's status in the Vatican.
Supporters of the President argue the pontiff has strayed from spiritual duties to advocate for globalist policies conflicting with American interests. Critics suggest the President’s rhetoric represents an unprecedented personal attack on a sitting religious leader who also holds U.S. citizenship.
White House officials have not yet clarified the President's assertion that his administration influenced the 2025 papal election process. Religious scholars note the conflict highlights a growing divide between nationalist leadership and the traditional neutrality of the Catholic Church.
As the Pope continues his tour through Africa, observers expect further tension over international peace and security issues.