Extract from ABC News
US President Donald Trump said when Pope Leo XIV became the first US born pontiff, it was an honour. Now, he has called him weak. (ABC News Graphics)
When Chicago-born Robert Prevost became the first US-born pontiff, it was met with celebration by US president Donald Trump.
He described Pope Leo XIV's accession to the papacy as a meaningful moment for America saying it was an honour to realise the new pope had made history for the country.
"What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV," Mr Trump wrote in May 2025.
But glowing praise less than a year ago from Mr Trump has turned into fiery criticism.
He has since called Pope Leo XIV weak, and his once meaningful achievement unearned.
The pontiff has also not held back in his criticism of the Trump administration.
He has been vocal about a range of issues, including immigration policies, Venezuela and the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Here's how the Trump-Pope relationship has developed over the last year.
Pope's first criticisms of Trump administration
Following immigration raids last year in October, Pope Leo said he did not know if the treatment of immigrants in the United States was in line with a pro-life view of the world.
"Someone who says 'I'm against abortion but says I am in favor of the death penalty' is not really pro-life," he said.
"Someone who says that 'I'm against abortion, but I'm in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States,' I don't know if that's pro-life."
In 2025, 32 people died in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, the deadliest year in more than 20 years.
Conditions in ICE facilities deteriorating
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to questions following Pope Leo's comments rejecting the assertion the US was treating people unjustly.
"This administration is trying to enforce our nation's laws in the most humane way possible," Ms Leavitt said.
Pope responds to the US actions in Venezuela
After US special forces launched a raid on former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in January, Mr Trump said the US would run the country.
The attack on the South American country saw airports and military bases across a number of cities hit, according to Venezuelan authorities.
There have also been questions over its legitimacy with experts saying it breached international law.
Pope Leo stressed in a sermon after the US raid that sovereignty and the rule of law must be respected, alongside the human rights of every person.
"It is with deep concern that I am following the developments in Venezuela. The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration,"he said.
"This must lead to the overcoming of violence, and to the pursuit of paths of justice and peace, guaranteeing the sovereignty of the country, ensuring the rule of law.
"Respecting the human and civil rights of each and every person, and working together to build a peaceful future of cooperation, stability and harmony, with special attention to the poorest who are suffering because of the difficult economic situation."
Pope calls for peace amid US-Israeli war on Iran
About a month into the US-Israeli war on Iran, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted a Christian worship service at the Pentagon.
He said he hoped "every round" found its mark against enemies of America.
"Give them wisdom in every decision, endurance for the trial ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy," he said.
Less than a week following those comments, Pope Leo said God rejects war, and those who justify it.
He has been an outspoken critic of the US-Israeli war on Iran.
"Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no-one can use to justify war,"he said.
"He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: 'Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.'"
Trump calls Pope Leo weak on crime
In April, the pontiff's criticisms of President Trump became more direct.
Mr Trump posted on social media saying 'a whole civilisation will die' if Iran did not agree to a ceasefire deal.
Those comments followed a press conference where Mr Trump threatened the "complete demolition" of Iran.
Donald Trump threatens "complete demolition" if Iran and US cannot reach a deal, in a press conference held before the ceasefire.
It led to Pope Leo's first comments directly about the US president.
"Today, as we all know, there was this threat against all the people of Iran. This is truly unacceptable,"he said.
Throughout April, Pope Leo continued to push for peace and the end to the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Last Saturday when the US and Iran were holding talks to end the conflict, he called on world leaders to end the "madness of war".
"Enough of the idolatry of self and money … Enough of the display of power! Enough of war,"he said.
"Stop! It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned."
The call for world leaders to exercise restraint saw Mr Trump say Pope Leo was hurting the Catholic Church and that he was both weak and soft on crime.
An image posted by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Monday, April 13 was later deleted. (Truth Social: Donald Trump)
"Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy. Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician," he posted.
"It's hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it's hurting the Catholic Church!
"He wasn't on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump. If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican."
Mr Trump then posted, and later deleted an AI image depicting him as a Jesus-like figure, which saw him face criticism from religious sections of his supporter base.
Donald Trump said the post depicted him as a doctor and "had to do with Red Cross".
I have no fear of Trump administration, Pope Leo says
On Monday, before boarding a papal flight to Algiers, where Pope Leo was starting a 10-day tour of four African countries, he said despite Mr Trump's comments he would continue to speak out.
"I don't think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing," he said.
"I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems.
"I have no fear, neither of the Trump administration, nor speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel."
Pope Leo says he will continue to speak out against war
On Tuesday (local time), Mr Trump responded on social media saying Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb.
"Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable," he said.
The following day, during a visit to Algeria before departing to Cameroon, Pope Leo repeated his message for peace.
"I think the visit to the mosque was significant to say that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshipping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace," he said.
"I think that to promote that kind of image is something which the world needs to hear today."
On Thursday (local time), Mr Trump said once more that Iran could not have a nuclear weapon, and Pope Leo needed to understand that.
"The world would be in great danger," Mr Trump told reporters at the White House.
"The Pope can say what he wants, and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree. I think that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon."
No comments:
Post a Comment