US President Donald Trump’s escalating feud with Pope Leo XIV has sparked a sharp backlash, even from some of his traditional supporters on the religious right, raising concerns about potential political damage ahead of the November mid-term elections.
The clash intensified after Trump posted strongly worded criticism of the pontiff on Sunday, calling him “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.” He also suggested that the US-born Pope was elected in May 2025 mainly because of his American nationality and potential ties to the Trump administration. Trump later deleted an AI-generated image that appeared to depict him in a Christ-like figure, claiming it showed him as a doctor.
President Trump faced backlash after a public clash with Pope Leo over crime, policing and Iran, then refused to apologize, calling the pontiff wrong on law and order, and drew further criticism over a Jesus-like AI image of himself that he later deleted https://t.co/iE4YipirW6 pic.twitter.com/8Um7WeLdaT
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 14, 2026
Pope Leo XIV responded firmly, telling reporters on Monday that he has “no fear” of the Trump administration and will continue speaking out on issues of justice and the Gospel. He had previously described Trump’s threat to destroy an entire civilisation in Iran as “truly unacceptable” and criticised the administration’s mass deportation policies as “inhuman.”
The controversy has drawn strong reactions within the US. Archbishop Paul Coakley, head of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he was “disheartened” by Trump’s disparaging words about the Holy Father.
Even some prominent conservatives and former allies expressed dismay. Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene denounced Trump’s posts, particularly the apparent Jesus-like image posted on Orthodox Easter, calling it unacceptable. Conservative commentator Riley Gaines also criticised the image, urging Trump to show humility and warning that “God shall not be mocked.”
Vice President JD Vance, a recent Catholic convert, defended the president, saying the Vatican should focus on moral matters while the US president handles public policy. However, other Catholic figures in the administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have remained silent so far.
The row comes as Trump continues to issue strong threats against Iran, including warnings of destroying power plants and bridges if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. Analysts say the feud with the Pope risks alienating parts of the religious right — a key base that helped Trump win in 2016 and 2024 — at a time when high oil prices and economic concerns are already weighing on Republican prospects in the mid-terms.
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