Iranian President Condemns Trump’s Attack On Pope Leo

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has condemned United States President Donald Trump over his recent criticism of Pope Leo XIV, describing the remarks as an insult to the pontiff and a desecration of Jesus Christ.

Trump told reporters late Sunday that he is “not a big fan” of Pope Leo XIV, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” after the global Catholic leader made a plea for peace.

“I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo. He’s a very liberal person, and he’s a man that doesn’t believe in stopping crime,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

He accused the pontiff of “toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon.”

On Saturday, the 70-year-old American pope publicly said, “Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”, imploring leaders to end the violence, while addressing worshippers at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Trump reiterated his comments to reporters with a post on Truth Social saying, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.”

Pope Leo XIV also replied Trump, saying the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he did not fear the Trump administration.

He said, “I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the Church is here to do. We are not politicians. We don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker.”

“I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote ⁠peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states ⁠to look for just ⁠solutions to problems.”

Reacting to the drama via his official X handle on Monday, Pezeshkian wrote, “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex), I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran, and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person. I wish you glory by Allah.”

The Iranian leader added, “Your Excellency Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex), on behalf of the great nation of Iran, I condemn the insult to Your Excellency and declare that the desecration of Jesus (peace be upon him), the Prophet of peace and brotherhood, is unacceptable to any free person. I wish glory for you from Allah.”