April 13 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump lashed out at Pope LeoXIV over his criticism of the war in Iran, claiming a reason the American was named pontiff was because the Church was trying to curry favor with his administration.
Since being elected the first American head of the Catholic Church in May, Pope Leo has criticized the Trump administration's policies, particularly its aggressive immigration crackdown and military campaigns. As the war in Iran has continued, the Chicago native has ramped up his criticism of the New York real estate mogul and his administration.
Seemingly in response, Trump on Sunday called the pope "WEAK on Crime and Terrible for Foreign Policy."
"Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise. He wasn't on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump," Trump said in a statement on his Truth Social platform. "If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican."
Amid the conflict, Pope Leo has repeatedly called for an end to the war in Iran and other conflicts, most often without mentioning the warring parties or their leaders by name.
