US President Donald Trump has once again targeted Pope Leo, renewing his criticism of the religious leader amid ongoing tensions over war and policy differences.
In a post shared on Truth Social late Tuesday, Trump called on others to “inform Pope Leo” about the killing of protesters in Iran, while reiterating his stance that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
The remarks come in the context of escalating conflict in the region. The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran targeting Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases. The broader conflict, including Israeli operations in Lebanon, has resulted in significant casualties and widespread displacement.
While Washington and its allies have long suspected Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons capability, Iran has consistently denied such ambitions, citing its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Notably, Iran does not possess nuclear weapons, whereas the US does, and Israel is widely believed to be the only country in the Middle East with such capability.
Trump’s latest comments followed remarks by Pope Leo earlier in the day, in which he warned about the خطر of democracies drifting toward “majoritarian tyranny.” In a Vatican-issued letter, the pope emphasized that democratic systems remain strong only when grounded in ethical principles.
The pontiff has openly criticised Trump’s decision to initiate military action against Iran, stating that God does not accept the prayers of those who wage war with “blood on their hands.” He also condemned Trump’s recent warning about destroying Iranian civilisation and declined to participate in the US president’s proposed “Board of Peace” initiative related to Gaza.
In addition, Pope Leo has called for deeper reflection on the treatment of migrants in the United States, contrasting with Trump’s strict immigration policies.
The tension between the two figures has intensified in recent days, with Trump on Sunday describing the pope as “weak” and “terrible” on matters related to crime and foreign policy.