US President Donald Trump escalates a public feud with Pope Leo XIV over escalating tensions surrounding Iran, nuclear threats, and humanitarian claims. The controversy intensified after Trump, in a series of Truth Social posts, sharply criticized Pope Leo XIV’s comments on US foreign policy and the ongoing Iran crisis. The president accused Iran of being responsible for the deaths of “at least 42,000 innocent protesters” and reiterated his strong stance against any possibility of Iran developing nuclear weapons. The situation escalated further as Trump directly attacked the Pope, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible on foreign policy,” while insisting that his leadership was essential in preventing global instability. WATCH

Pope Leo escalates his criticism of the Iran war, triggering a sharp and public clash with US President Donald Trump. In a powerful letter, the Pope warned that democracies risk sliding into “majoritarian tyranny” if power is not guided by moral values — a message that has intensified the ongoing feud. The situation escalated further when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stepped in, calling Trump’s remarks “unacceptable” and defending the independence of religious leaders.