President Donald Trump stated he would not apologize to Pope Leo XIV, following his sharp criticism of the pontiff for opposing US actions in Iran. Trump asserted that Pope Leo had "said things that were wrong" and was "very weak on crime and other issues".

During a press conference at the White House on 13/4, a reporter asked if Trump would apologize after Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota commented that the President "owes Pope Leo an apology". Trump responded, "No, I will not do that, because Pope Leo said things that were wrong. He strongly opposes what I am doing regarding Iran, while we cannot allow a nuclear Iran. Pope Leo will not be pleased with the final outcome." He added, "I think he is very weak on crime and other issues, so I will not apologize. He spoke first, and I was merely responding to the Pope."

President Donald Trump outside the Oval Office, White House, on 13/4. *AP*

On the evening of 12/4, President Trump launched sharp criticism aimed at Pope Leo XIV, claiming he was "weak in combating crime and very poor on foreign policy." Trump stated that Pope Leo XIV "lacks the Make America Great Again (MAGA) spirit", despite being an American. "I do not want a Pope who thinks Iran can possess nuclear weapons. I do not want a Pope who thinks it is bad for the US to attack Venezuela, a country that has moved large amounts of drugs into the US," the President wrote.

The disagreement stems from Pope Leo XIV's consistent calls for peace and an end to conflict. During an evening prayer service at Saint Peter's Basilica on 12/4 – the same day the US and Iran began direct talks in Pakistan – Pope Leo XIV declared that "enough with the idolatry of self and money, enough with the display of power, enough with war." He urged leaders to stop mutual attacks and engage in peace negotiations. Previously, Pope Leo XIV had frequently criticized the war in Iran and called for an end to the conflict.

On 13/4, the Pope told reporters that the Vatican's message of peace and reconciliation stems from the Gospel and that he "does not fear the Trump administration." The Pope clarified that he did not directly attack President Trump or anyone else through his general call for peace, or his criticisms of the war in Iran and other conflicts worldwide. He affirmed, "I will continue to speak out strongly against war, striving to promote peace, dialogue, and multilateralism among nations to find solutions to problems."

Pope Leo XIV speaks during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, Vatican, on 8/4. *AP*

By Vu Hoang (Reuters, AFP, AP)