WASHINGTON, D.C. – The President is picking a fight with the Pope over the Iran conflict. The President is criticizing the Pope on his comments regarding Iran. The Pope said he’s not afraid of the Trump administration and will continue to speak out against the US war with Iran. 

“We believe strongly in law and order, and he, he seemed to have a problem with that, so there’s nothing to apologize for, he’s wrong,” said President Trump Monday afternoon telling reporters he won’t apologize to Pope Leo. This follows the President’s and the Pope’s recent comments on the US war with Iran.  

About a week ago, the Pope, who is the first American-born Pontiff, said the President’s threat to destroy Iranian civilization was “truly unacceptable”. The Pope said he hopes for peace.   

“The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone, and the message of the Gospel is very clear: blessed are the peacemakers,” said the Pope. “I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel. I’m inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges for peace and reconciliation, of, of, uh, looking for ways to avoid war anytime that’s possible.” 

“We don’t like a pope that’s going to say that it’s OK to have a nuclear weapon,” President Trump claimed. “We don’t want a pope that says crime is OK in our cities. I don’t like it. I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo.” 

The President, responding to the Pope’s latest comments, shared a lengthy Truth Social post late Sunday night, which said in part: “Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy…” He adds: “And I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do…” Trump also claimed that if he wasn’t in the White House, “Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.” 

After those comments, the President shared an AI generated image of himself in what looks like of him being depicted as Jesus Christ. The post was deleted a few hours later.  

“I did post it,” said Trump. “I thought it was me as a doctor and had to do Red Cross as a Red Cross worker there which we support.” 

Some experts on the Catholic Church have said that Leo’s opposition to the war reflects established church teachings, not politics. Religious scholars have also noted there’s been an increase in religious rhetoric coming from the President and his administration officials, like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The President claimed last week that God was on the side of the US in this war with Iran.