Why Did Trump Suddenly "Open Fire" on the Pope?
On April 14, Trump launched a fierce attack on Pope Leo XIV, declaring, "The U.S. doesn't need a pope who criticizes Trump," and even asserting, "If it weren't for me taking office at the White House, Leo wouldn't have appeared in the Vatican at all." The trigger was the Pope's recent repeated criticisms of U.S. policies in Iran, Venezuela, and elsewhere, arguing that the "desire to dominate everything" contradicts Christian teachings.
So, what do we make of this situation?
First, Trump’s transactional view of religion has been laid bare. He credited his own rise to power with the Pope’s position, implying, “I supported you, so you should support me.” This is pure political transaction logic—treating religious authority as a negotiable commodity. To Trump, the Pope criticizing U.S. policy amounts to “repaying kindness with enmity.” While such thinking isn’t uncommon in American domestic politics, applying it directly to the Vatican truly reshapes perceptions of U.S.-Vatican relations.
Second, what Trump truly resents is the intrusion of international moral authority into geopolitics. The Pope’s stance has actually remained consistent: opposing war, rejecting hegemony, and advocating peace. Whether criticizing U.S. threats toward Iran or questioning attacks on Venezuela, these positions reflect the Vatican’s long-standing tradition of pacifism. Trump demanding the Pope stay silent precisely indicates that the Pope’s criticism hit the mark.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862412608733196/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.