By George Omagbemi Sylvester
U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked global controversy after claiming that Pope Leo XIV would not have become pope if he were not president, intensifying an already strained relationship between the White House and the Vatican. The remarks came as Trump accused the pontiff of being politically biased and overly critical of his administration.
On April 13, 2026, Trump launched a sharp attack on Pope Leo, saying the Catholic leader was “catering to the Radical Left,” while also describing him as “weak on crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy.”
The comments followed the Pope’s public criticism of escalating global conflicts, particularly the U.S.-Iran war, where he called for restraint and dialogue instead of military escalation.
Trump further suggested that the Pope’s election was politically influenced and implied that his own presidency shaped global leadership outcomes, a claim that has drawn criticism and disbelief from political and religious observers.
The Vatican has not officially responded to the latest remarks, but the exchange adds to growing tensions between the U.S. administration and the first American-born pope, who has increasingly spoken out on immigration, war, and humanitarian issues.
The dispute highlights widening ideological divisions between Trump’s nationalist policy stance and Pope Leo’s advocacy for peace and global diplomacy.
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