The US president has rebuked the pontiff over his criticism of the Iran war

US President Donald Trump has criticized Pope Leo XIV, calling him "weak" and saying he should be grateful for his appointment as head of the Catholic Church, after the pontiff blasted his policies.

Pope Leo has emerged as a critic of the US-Israeli attack against Iran launched in late February. He has described Trump's threat to destroy Iranian civilization as "truly unacceptable," saying it amounts to "a threat against the entire people." He has also called for "deep reflection" on the treatment of migrants in the US.

In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump, who welcomed Leo's election last May as a "great honor" for the country, said the pontiff is "WEAK on CRIME, and terrible for Foreign Policy," adding that he would prefer his "all MAGA" brother Louis, referring to Louis Prevost, the pope's brother, a US-based figure known for his pro-Trump views.

"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 wrote.

He added that "Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise," claiming that he was chosen solely for being American and was perceived as "the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump."

Later on Sunday, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump repeated his criticism, calling the Pope "a liberal person" who does not believe in "stopping crime," adding: "I don't think he's doing a very good job... I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo."

The Pope has intensified his calls for peace and a return to diplomacy. He pushed back against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who urged Americans to pray for victory "in the name of Jesus Christ," saying God "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war."

On Friday, Leo wrote on X that "God does not bless any conflict" and that "no cause can justify the shedding of innocent blood." He repeated the appeal a day later at a Vatican vigil, calling for prayers to "break the demonic cycle of evil."