‘This Man Is Not Well’: Critics Damn Trump After ‘Unhinged’ Late-Night Attack On Pope

Critics have condemned President Donald Trump after he attacked Pope Leo XIV in a Sunday night rant.

In a lengthy Truth Social post that ran more than 300 words, Trump slammed the pope for being “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.”

Trump griped:

“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.”

Trump also took credit for the Chicago-born pope’s election, claiming the College of Cardinals selected the first-ever American pontiff last year because “they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.”

President Donald Trump railed against Pope Leo while speaking with reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Sunday night.
President Donald Trump railed against Pope Leo while speaking with reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Sunday night.

AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

He repeated his grievances a little later when he spoke to reporters as he returned to Washington from Miami on Sunday night.

“I don’t think he’s doing a very good job,” Trump said. “He likes crime, I guess.”

He also called the pontiff “a very liberal person” and “a man that doesn’t believe in stopping crime.”

“I’m not a fan of Pope Leo,” he added.

Trump’s attack came after the pope repeatedly called for peace amid the ongoing war with Iran.

He did so again on Saturday.

“Enough of the idolatry of self and money!” Leo said during an evening prayer service, according to The Associated Press. “Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”

The pope did not mention Trump by name as he described the “delusion of omnipotence” as a threat to global stability, but the comments apparently triggered the president.

Trump’s critics fired back on X:

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I doubt Pope Leo XIV will lose any sleep over this, before he begins his pilgrimage to Africa tomorrow. But the rest of us should. Because it is unhinged, uncharitable and unchristian. Is there no bottom to this moral squalor? pic.twitter.com/XRr9lpv4ZF

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) April 13, 2026

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Is there no bottom to this moral squalor? pic.twitter.com/XRr9lpv4ZF— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) April 13, 2026\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":1067,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HFwCKWYWgAEeU8k.jpg:large","thumbnail_width":926,"title":"James Martin, SJ on Twitter / 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I doubt Pope Leo XIV will lose any sleep over this, before he begins his pilgrimage to Africa tomorrow. But the rest of us should. Because it is unhinged, uncharitable and unchristian. Is there no bottom to this moral squalor? pic.twitter.com/XRr9lpv4ZF

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) April 13, 2026

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Hey @GOP, you good with your guy directly attacking the Pope now?

We know the leadership of the Republican Party is on their knees (not praying!) but if anyone over there still has a spine, this is an easy one! https://t.co/lSsZHk6tvQ

— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) April 13, 2026

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We know the leadership of the Republican Party is on their knees (not praying!) but if anyone over there still has a spine, this is an easy one! https://t.co/lSsZHk6tvQ— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) April 13, 2026\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Governor Newsom Press Office on Twitter / 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Hey @GOP, you good with your guy directly attacking the Pope now?

We know the leadership of the Republican Party is on their knees (not praying!) but if anyone over there still has a spine, this is an easy one! https://t.co/lSsZHk6tvQ

— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) April 13, 2026