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Trump launched a personal attack on the Pope late Sunday, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy”, and accusing him of being soft on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Pope Leo XIV (Reuters image)
Iran on Monday voice its support for Pope Leo XIV amid growing spat with US President Donald Trump, with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf praising pontiff fearless stand and invoking religious solidarity.
In a post on X, Ghalibaf lauded the Pope’s “fearless stand”, saying his slogan, “I have no fear” serves as inspiration for those who refuse to remain silent in the face of violence against civilians.
Ghalibaf also accused Israel and the United States of committing “war crimes,” and said the Pope’s leadership was a guiding light for millions around the world.
“Honoring Pope Leo’s fearless stand! “I have no fear” echoes as he condemns the war crimes of Israel and the US. This slogan lights the path for all who refuse to stay silent on the killing of innocents. @Pontifex leadership inspires millions – thank you for this light!” he said in a post on X.
Honoring Pope Leo’s fearless stand!“I have no fear” echoes as he condemns the war crimes of Israel and the US.
This slogan lights the path for all who refuse to stay silent on the killing of innocents.@Pontifex leadership inspires millions – thank you for this light!
— Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 13, 2026
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also echoed similar sentiments and condemned insults” against the pontiff by the US President.
In a post on X, Pezeshkian said, “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, I condemn the insult to Your Excellency the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person. I wish you glory by Allah.”
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex), I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran, and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person. I wish you glory by Allah.— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) April 13, 2026
Iran’s response came after the US President railed against Pope Leo’s recent comments calling for peace in the Middle East, which is grappling with the war triggered by a joint Israel-US attack on Iran in late February.
Trump launched a personal attack on the Pope late Sunday, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy”, and accusing him of being soft on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Speaking to reporters and in posts on Truth Social, Trump said he did not want “a Pope who thinks it’s okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon” and criticised Leo’s opposition to US military actions, including in Iran and Venezuela.
He also claimed the Pope’s elevation was linked to US politics, saying Leo “wouldn’t be in the Vatican” if he were not president.
Responding to Trump’s attacks, Pope said that he had “a moral duty” to speak out against war and didn’t “fear” Trump. Before taking off from Rome headed to Algiers for a papal visit, the pontiff came under fire from Trump.
The pope had told reporters aboard the papal plane before arriving in Algiers that he had “no intention to debate with” Trump, adding that he was “not a politician”.
“What I am saying is that the mission of the Church is very clear,” he said. “The Gospel says… blessed are the peacemakers. I believe that the Church has a moral duty to speak out very clearly against war and in favour of peace and reconciliation.”
The pope added: “I have no fear, neither of the Trump administration, nor speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel.”
April 14, 2026, 02:58 IST
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