JOINT BASE ANDREWS, United States — U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that he is “not a big fan” of Pope Leo XIV, following the pontiff’s public appeal for peace.
Trump made the remarks to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. He said Pope Leo was “a very liberal person” and accused him of not supporting efforts to stop crime. Trump also criticized the pope’s position on nuclear weapons, saying he opposed what he described as support for Iran obtaining one.
The comments followed Pope Leo’s remarks on Saturday at St. Peter’s Basilica, where he urged global leaders to end violence and reject war.
Trump also reiterated his criticism in a post on Truth Social, where he said he did not want a pope who supports Iran having nuclear weapons.
U.S. and Vatican officials have denied reports of a rift between the two sides. A Vatican official rejected media reports of a meeting between a senior Pentagon official and the Vatican’s envoy to the United States, saying the account was inaccurate.
Differences have emerged between the White House and the Vatican on issues including U.S. immigration policy and the use of military force in regions such as the Middle East. Pope Leo has previously called for an end to violence and urged negotiations in international conflicts.
Talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended on Saturday after U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington had presented its final offer.
