This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Colleen and Gerry recap a packed two weeks of Vatican news, covering Pope Leo’s first Holy Week celebrations and his comments on President Trump’s threat to wipe out ‘an entire civilization.’
Donald Trump went off on Pope Leo XIV this past Sunday over the pontiff’s stance on the U.S. military campaign in Iran. The president fired back on Truth Social, making it clear he’s not interested in spiritual guidance that questions his foreign policy decisions. Trump said he doesn’t want a pope criticizing the president while he’s carrying out the exact mandate voters gave him in a landslide election. The tension between these two power players has been building for months, but the situation in Iran pushed things into overdrive.
Leo, who made history as the first U.S.-born pope, has been vocal about his concerns regarding the military operation. Trump’s response was characteristically crass, suggesting the pontiff should be grateful for his position in the first place. According to Trump, Leo got the job only because the Church thought having an American pope would help it navigate the Trump administration.