Washington, United States. U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his criticism of Pope Leo on Tuesday night after the pontiff condemned Trump’s war and immigration policies. In a Truth Social post, Trump urged that “someone please tell Pope Leo” about killings of protesters by Iran and said “for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable.”
Trump’s Truth Social post
Trump’s comments focused on Iran, referencing the killing of protesters and opposing any Iranian acquisition of a nuclear weapon.
Conflict involving the U.S., Israel and Iran
The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, and Iran responded with strikes on Israel and Gulf states hosting U.S. bases. U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions.
Iran does not have nuclear weapons while the U.S. does. Israel is widely believed to be the only Middle Eastern country with nuclear weapons.
Western countries have long believed Iran wants a nuclear bomb or at least the ability to make one quickly, while Tehran has denied this and cited its membership of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Pope’s warning and criticism of Trump
Earlier Tuesday, Pope Leo warned of the risk of democracies sliding into “majoritarian tyranny.” The first U.S. pope wrote in a Vatican-issued letter on the use of power in democratic societies, saying democracies remained healthy only when rooted in moral values.
The pope has criticised Trump’s decision to launch the war against Iran, saying God rejects the prayers of those who launch wars and have “hands full of blood.” He also called Trump’s threat this month to destroy Iranian civilisation unacceptable and previously declined to join Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace” initiative for Gaza.
The pope has urged “deep reflection” on the way migrants are treated in the U.S., while Trump has pursued a hardline immigration policy.
On Sunday, Trump called the pope “weak” and “terrible” on crime and foreign policy issues.
How do you think political leaders and religious figures should address disagreements over war and migration policies?
