Trump Assails Pope Leo XIV, Citing Weakness on Crime and Foreign Policy
Former President claims pontiff's selection was a direct response to his presidency, urges a shift from 'Radical Left' alignment.
Image: Matt Weston / AI
Sarah Connor
Donald Trump launched a direct attack against Pope Leo XIV, asserting the pontiff exhibits weakness on crime and detrimental foreign policy stances.
The former president made his comments on Truth Social and to the press, claiming the Catholic Church specifically chose an American to lead the Vatican to navigate relations with his administration.
He maintained that Pope Leo's selection was a "shocking surprise," arguing the pontiff was not on any list for the papacy.
Trump declared, "If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican," suggesting his presidency directly influenced the papal election.
If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican.
This assertion draws a stark line, positioning the papacy's current leadership as a direct consequence of a specific political era in Washington.
Historically, papal elections, known as conclaves, operate under strict secrecy.
Cardinals vote based on spiritual guidance and the needs of the global Catholic Church, rather than overt political calculations.
The last non-European pope, Pope Francis, elected in 2013, marked a significant shift. He came from Argentina, signaling a broader global focus for the Church.
Beyond the legal debate, Trump also claimed priests faced threats of arrest for holding church services during the 2020 Covid pandemic. This period was marked by widespread public health restrictions.
He further alleged that America attacked Venezuela, a nation he claimed was sending massive amounts of drugs into the United States.
The former president also stated Venezuela was emptying its prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into the United States. This claim fuels ongoing debates about border security.
He drew a comparison between the pontiff and his brother, stating, "I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA."
I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA.
Trump added, "He gets it, and Leo doesn't!" positioning the Pope's brother as more aligned with his political movement.
This public critique places significant pressure on Pope Leo XIV, forcing the Vatican to navigate a complex political landscape. Here, its spiritual authority intersects with global power dynamics.
The Catholic Church, with its 1.3 billion adherents worldwide, often finds itself a stakeholder in international relations. It influences public opinion and policy across numerous nations.
Trump urged Pope Leo to "get his act together," use common sense, and stop catering to the "Radical Left." He concluded that the Pope should focus on being a "Great Pope, not a Politician," arguing such political engagement harms both Leo and the Catholic Church.
This demand for a specific political alignment from a religious leader echoes historical tensions between secular and ecclesiastical powers. It represents a recurring theme across centuries.
Meanwhile, on the ground, Pope Leo XIV previously met with former Barack Obama campaign manager David Axelrod. This meeting could be interpreted as a gesture towards broader political engagement.
The United States possesses the military power to act as it chooses, and the Church should align itself accordingly. This indicates a specific perspective on the Church's role in global affairs.
The future implications of such a public challenge could reshape the discourse between political leaders and religious institutions. This particularly concerns issues of crime, foreign policy, and ideological alignment.