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Trump's rift with Pope is playing out in public - it's costing him valuable support

policies and the brand of Catholic nationalism represented by JD Vance. But he is now highly critical of the US president's behaviour towards Pope Leo. "President Trump does not understand how Catholicism works

Pope decries migrants and refugees being treated ‘worse than house pets’

immigrants. The pope has previously questioned whether the Trump administration’s hardline policies are in line with the Catholic Church’s strict pro-life teachings, in remarks that drew sharp criticism from conservative US Catholics

‘It’s kind of a tough situation’: US Catholics torn in feud between president and the pope

Leo XIV](https://www.theguardian.com/world/pope-leo-xiv) against the war in Iran has tested that proposition. The pope has been broadly and consistently critical of war, but pointedly critical of the American attacks in Iran. On Palm

Popes have spoken out on politics before. But with Trump and Pope Leo it's different

immigration policies. Trump also claimed Leo was in favor of Iran having nuclear weapons. Trump continued his attacks Tuesday night with another social media post, saying, "Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran

‘We’re Catholic first’: Sunday mass attendees weigh in on Trump’s feud with Pope Leo

Policy” and claiming that Leo’s ascension as the first American-born pontiff should be considered a response by the church to Trump’s election. The president subsequently [posted](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/13/trump-ai-image-christ-like-figure-backlash) an AI-generated