US President Donald Trump has launched another attack to Pope Leo XIV and NATO.
In a rant that was posted on social media earlier this week, Mr Trump previously claimed the Pope was “weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy”. In his message, the US President also said “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon”.
Mr Trump then refused to apologise to the Pope, saying again that Leo XIV is “very weak on crime and other things,” and adding he has “nothing to apologise for – he’s [the Pope] wrong”. And then last night, Mr Trump added writing on Truth Social: “Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable. Thank you for your attention to this matter. AMERICA IS BACK!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
These comments came after the Pope, speaking during an evening peace vigil at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on Saturday, issued a direct appeal to world leaders to return to negotiations.
Leading the service he said: “Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life.”
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, angering Mr Trump, commenting on the war of words between Mr Trump and Pope Leo XIV, said: “I find President Trump’s words about the Holy Father unacceptable. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal for him to call for peace and condemn all forms of war.”
American commentator Harry Sissing said on X: “It’s the middle of the night and Trump is ranting about Pope Leo again. Someone put him to bed he’s senile.”
Mr Trump also directed his fury towards NATO for its refusal to participate in offensive strikes against Iran. In a separate Truth Social post, he wrote: “NATO wasn’t there for us, and they won’t be there for us in the future!”
He also previously labelled the defensive alliance as “shameful” over its refusal, as he once more criticised UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for his response.
