Donald Trump criticizes Pope Leo XIV over foreign policy and political stances

United States President Donald Trump publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, describing him as excessively liberal and ineffective. These comments followed the Pope's recent anti-war remarks and criticism of what he called an 'illusion of omnipotence' regarding U.S. foreign policy. Writing on Truth Social and speaking at Andrews Air Force Base, Trump accused the Pope of being soft on crime and indifferent to Iran's potential acquisition of nuclear weapons. The President further alleged that the Pope opposed the U.S. military operation in Venezuela in January and questioned his political impartiality. Trump asserted that the Pope's election was influenced by the Catholic Church's desire to manage relations with his administration. Additionally, Trump criticized the Pope for his silence on the treatment of Christian organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The President maintained that his administration has successfully reduced crime and strengthened the economy, demanding the Pope focus on religious duties rather than political criticism.