Pope Leo hits back at Trump in Iran war feud

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Apr 13, 2026

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Pope Leo hit back at President Donald Trump’s attack on him over the war in Iran, insisting he’s not afraid of pushing for peace in the Middle East.

“I have no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel,” the pope said Monday. “(That) is what I believe I am here to do.”

The first American-born pontiff told reporters his appeals for peace are based on the Bible’s message and not a political attack on Trump.

“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,” he said. “I think someone has to stand up and say there’s a better way.”

Asked directly about Trump’s derisive statements and posts on his social media site, the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics suggested Trump should steer clear of spiritual matters.

“It’s ironic,” Leo said. “Say no more.”

The pope was responding to Trump’s remarkable attacks on him over Iran and other issues like crime and undocumented immigration.

“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” the president wrote on his social media site, adding, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.”

Trump told reporters the pope is not “doing a very good job,” while also suggesting the pontiff should “stop catering to the radical left.”

“I’m not a fan of Pope Leo,” he added.

The feud between two of the world’s most powerful leaders erupted as the pope has repeatedly called for an end to the U.S.-Israeli war in the Middle East.

The conflict has led to widespread devastation in Iran and Lebanon, where Israel has launched massive attacks at what it says are targets linked to Hezbollah.

Trump also reposted on social media an image of himself depicted as a Christ-like figure healing the sick.

Even some MAGA loyalists suggested the post, apparently generated by artificial intelligence, was blasphemous or tasteless at the very least.

“Does he actually think this?” wrote Riley Gaines, a prominent Trump supporter. “God shall not be mocked.”