President Trump criticizes Pope Leo XIV and NATO

US President Donald Trump has engaged in a public dispute with Pope Leo XIV, challenging the pontiff's opposition to US-Israeli actions regarding Iran. President Trump argued that Iran poses a global threat, specifically citing the risk of the country obtaining nuclear weapons. On Truth Social, Trump alleged that Iran has killed 42,000 unarmed protesters in the last two months, using this claim to justify his hardline stance. The Pope, originally from Chicago, has previously denounced the "madness of war" and called for peace, signaling his intent to continue speaking out. Trump also publicly criticized NATO, stating the alliance has not supported the US and will not do so in the future. The President's remarks regarding the Pope have faced criticism from various US religious groups across the political spectrum. Trump maintains that he is entitled to disagree with the pontiff despite his claim of influencing the Pope's ascension to the papacy.