Pope Leo Fires Warning After Trump Rant, Denounces «tyrant» Using God for Gain

Pope Leo has intensified his response to Donald Trump, turning a growing war of words into a broader moral warning delivered on the international stage.

After stating he was not intimidated by the Trump administration, the pontiff has now doubled down during an official trip to Africa, where he issued one of his most forceful condemnations to date.

Without naming Trump directly, Pope Leo warned against «tyrants» who exploit religion for power, using unusually direct language that has drawn global attention. The remarks come just days after a sharp and personal attack from the president over the Vatican’s stance on escalating tensions involving Iran.

Pope Leo has moved from words to action after recently stating he did not fear the Trump administration, following a lengthy and pointed post by Donald Trump on Truth Social criticizing the pontiff over his stance on the escalating tensions surrounding Iran.

Now, while on an official trip across Africa, the pope has chosen to double down publicly, delivering a speech that directly addresses what he describes as the dangerous misuse of religion in global conflicts. The timing of the remarks, delivered abroad but clearly aimed at a broader international audience, signals a deliberate escalation in tone from the Vatican.

Speaking during a public address, Pope Leo issued a stark warning about the state of global leadership, framing his message in moral and spiritual terms while avoiding naming individuals directly.

«The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters.» he said, drawing a clear contrast between destructive leadership and collective solidarity.

The remark immediately drew attention as a veiled but unmistakable response to recent political rhetoric. The speech was delivered to a large audience and quickly circulated internationally, amplifying its impact beyond the immediate setting.

The pope continued by condemning what he described as the exploitation of faith for strategic advantage, delivering one of the most direct passages of his speech.

«Blessed are the peacemakers! But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.»

The formulation marked one of the strongest denunciations yet from Pope Leo on the intersection of religion and power. Observers noted that the remarks aligned with his broader calls for restraint and ethical leadership amid rising geopolitical tensions.

The response follows a recent post by Donald Trump on Truth Social, in which the president launched a critical and highly personal attack against the pope.

In that message, Trump wrote that Pope Leo was «WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy», while also adding, «I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.»

The statement framed the pontiff’s position on the Iran conflict as dangerous and out of step with global security concerns.

The tone of the post, widely circulated online, marked a sharp escalation and quickly intensified reactions across political and religious circles, fueling a broader debate about the role of religious figures in matters of war and international policy.

Vice President JD Vance has also weighed in on the controversy, directly criticizing Pope Leo’s intervention while defending Donald Trump’s position on the Iran conflict. Speaking publicly, Vance pushed back on the pontiff’s remarks, stating:

«I think it’s very, very important for the pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology.»

His comments were widely interpreted as a clear rebuke of the pope’s stance, suggesting that religious authority should remain separate from geopolitical decision-making. The intervention added further tension to the dispute, reinforcing the administration’s criticism of the Vatican’s position.

The clash comes amid a series of recent controversies surrounding Trump, including criticism over an AI-generated image in which he appeared depicted as Jesus.

The image, widely shared across social media, drew backlash from religious communities and commentators who viewed it as inappropriate. Combined with the escalating rhetoric toward Pope Leo, the episode has contributed to renewed scrutiny of Trump’s messaging and its relationship to religion. As tensions between political authority and religious leadership continue to surface, the latest exchange underscores a widening divide that shows little sign of easing.