President Donald Trump unleashed a sharp rebuke against Pope Leo XIV on Truth Social Sunday evening, escalating tensions with the first American-born pontiff over the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

"Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy," Trump wrote in the post at 9:03 p.m. EDT. He accused the pope of catering to the "Radical Left" and talking about "fear" of the Trump administration instead of supporting efforts to defeat Iran's regime. The post extends a public feud that has intensified since the war began six weeks ago.

The clash stems from Pope Leo XIV's repeated condemnations of the conflict. On April 7, the pope described Trump's threat that Iran's "whole civilization will die tonight" as "truly unacceptable." He urged leaders to seek an "off-ramp" through diplomacy and warned against a "delusion of omnipotence." Earlier Saturday, Leo reiterated that "God does not bless any conflict" during a peace vigil at St. Peter's Basilica.

Trump's administration has defended the war as necessary to neutralize Iran's nuclear program and support Israel.

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, was elected on May 8, 2025, becoming the 267th pope and the first from the United States. A former missionary in Peru and prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, he has consistently opposed armed conflicts, nationalism, and harsh immigration policies.

The rift also involves immigration, with Leo decrying conditions at ICE facilities and Trump viewing the pope's positions as politically motivated. U.S. Catholic leaders have echoed the pope's calls for peace, including Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, who called the war "sickening."

White House officials have downplayed the divide, noting Catholic support for Trump in the 2024 election and ongoing Vatican ties. As of late Sunday, the Vatican had not responded to Trump's post.