Trump Says Pope Leo XIV Not 'Doing a Very Good Job' in Iran War Feud
President Donald Trump said Sunday night that Pope Leo XIV is not "doing a very good job" as head of the Catholic Church. The criticism came after the Pope said a "delusion of omnipotence" is driving the U.S.-Israel war in Iran.
President Donald Trump launched an unusual attack on Pope Leo XIV Sunday night, saying he doesn't think the first American Pope is "doing a very good job" leading the Catholic Church.
The harsh words came after Pope Leo XIV criticized the U.S.-Israel military action in Iran over the weekend. The Pope said a "delusion of omnipotence" was fueling the war.
Pope Leo XIV, who is originally from Chicago, made history as the first American to become Pope. His criticism of U.S. foreign policy puts him at odds with the Trump administration's Middle East strategy.
While popes and presidents sometimes disagree on policy, it's extremely rare for a U.S. president to publicly attack the Pope's job performance. The feud highlights how the Iran conflict is straining relationships between traditional allies.
The Pope's comments suggest he believes the U.S. and Israel are overconfident in their military approach to Iran.
This is an extremely rare public fight between a U.S. president and the Pope. It shows how the Iran war is creating deep splits even between traditional allies. Pope Leo XIV is the first American to hold the position.
Watch for more reactions from Catholic leaders and whether the Pope responds to Trump's criticism.
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