President Donald Trump gave an in-depth explanation of his feud with Pope Leo XIV as he was quizzed on the topic during a press conference outside the White House
CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins questioned President Donald Trump on his feud with Pope Leo XIV.
Speaking with the president, 79, outside of the White House, Collins asked him, “Why are you fighting with the Pope?”
The topic arose after Trump repeatedly took aim at Pope Leo on his Truth Social platform, following the religious figure speaking out to condemn the Iran War and Trump’s “truly unacceptable” threat to wipe out a “whole civilization” if Iran’s leaders don’t strike a deal with the U.S.
Trump wrote in a scathing post on Sunday, April 12, “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, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History. Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise.”
The pope has to understand that, very simply
After the outburst, the reporter asked Trump why he was “fighting” with the Pope if he’s worried it’s “upsetting” his “image,” as the president interrupted to say, “No, no, I have to do what’s right.
The pope has to understand that, very simply. I have nothing against the pope. His brother is MAGA all the way. I like his brother, Louis [Prevost].”
Collins then asked, “Why are you fighting with him?” To which Trump replied, “I’m not fighting with him.
The pope made a statement. He says Iran can have a nuclear weapon. I say Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.
If the pope looked at the 42,000 people that were killed over the last 2-3 months as a protester with no weapons, nothing. I mean, you take a look at that. So, I can disagree with the pope. I have the right to disagree with the pope.”
Trump then answered a further question on the conflict with the pope as he explained, “Look, I have no disagreement with the fact that the pope can say what he wants, and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree.
I think Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. If they do, the whole world would be in jeopardy.
We are very close to making a deal
“The Middle East will be blown up, and the whole world will be in jeopardy. We are very close to making a deal. That will be a great thing.
The pope has to understand: Iran has killed more than 42,000 people over the last few months. Think of it, protesters without guns, without anything.
“They were totally unarmed protestors. The pope has to understand that. This is the real world; it’s a nasty world, but as far as the pope and saying what he wants, he can do that. Now I know the pope’s brother is a big MAGA person.
“He’s got MAGA all over his house. His name is Louis. He’s a great guy. And I’m sure the pope is a great guy.
I haven’t met him. But I disagree with the pope. If the pope were to allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon, you can’t do that.”