Trump renews criticism of Pope Leo over Iran remarks

Washington: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday night repeated his criticism of Pope Leo, who has spoken out against the war on Iran and raised concerns about the use of power in democratic societies.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said “someone please tell Pope Leo” about the killings of protesters by Iran and added that “for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable.”

The latest remarks came after Pope Leo earlier in the day warned of the danger of democracies slipping into “majoritarian tyranny”. In a letter issued by the Vatican on the use of power in democratic societies, the pope said democratic systems remain healthy only when they are grounded in moral values.

Pope Leo, the first US pope, has criticised Trump’s decision to launch the war against Iran. He said God rejects the prayers of those who start wars and have “hands full of blood. ” The pope also described Trump’s threat this month to destroy Iranian civilisation as unacceptable.

The religious leader had previously declined to join Trump’s so-called “ Board of Peace” initiative for Gaza. He has also called for a “deep reflection” on the treatment of migrants in the United States, while Trump has continued to pursue a hardline immigration policy.

On Sunday, Trump had called the pope “weak” and “terrible” on crime and foreign policy issues.

Conflict and nuclear dispute

The United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. Iran then responded with strikes on Israel and Gulf states hosting US bases. US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions.

Iran does not possess nuclear weapons, while the United States does. Israel is widely believed to be the only country in the Middle East with nuclear weapons.

Western countries have for years believed that Iran seeks a nuclear bomb, or at least the capacity to build one quickly. Tehran has consistently denied that accusation and has cited its membership in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Trump’s latest comments added to a growing public dispute between the US president and Pope Leo over Iran, Gaza and immigration, with both men having sharply different positions on war, foreign policy and the treatment of migrants.