Trump attacks Pope over criticism of Iran war

Trump attacks Pope over criticism of Iran war

President’s Comments Spark Controversy

Donald Trump has criticized Pope Leo for his stance against U.S. immigration policies and the ongoing conflict with Iran. In a post on Truth Social, the president described the pontiff as “WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy,” later stating to reporters that he was “not a big fan” of the Pope. The remarks came during the pontiff’s 11-day visit to Africa, his second significant international trip since taking office.

Pope’s Opposition to War

Pope Leo has consistently opposed the U.S. war effort in Iran, labeling Trump’s threat to dismantle the country’s civilization as “unacceptable.” He urged the president to seek a “way out” to resolve the conflict. Additionally, the Pope raised concerns about Trump’s strict immigration policies, questioning whether they aligned with the Catholic Church’s pro-life principles.

Criticism from Catholic Scholars

Trump’s comments drew swift backlash from Catholics. Massimo Faggioli, an expert, noted the sharpness of the attack, drawing parallels to the Pope’s historical relationship with fascist leaders during World War Two. “Not even Hitler or Mussolini attacked the Pope so directly and publicly,” he said, as reported by Reuters.

Call for De-escalation

Throughout his public appearances, Pope Leo has advocated for reducing global tensions and promoting peace in the Middle East. When Trump vowed to destroy Iran’s civilization, the Pope called the statement “truly unacceptable.” In an Easter address, he emphasized the need for people to become “aware of violence” and urged decision-makers to “choose peace over war.”