By Wellington Jopelo
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has strongly criticised U.S. President Donald Trump over his recent remarks targeting Pope Leo XIV, describing the comments as disrespectful and an affront to religious values.
The controversy began after Trump publicly stated that he is “not a big fan” of Pope Leo XIV, accusing the pontiff of being “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.” The U.S. president made the comments while reacting to the Pope’s criticism of ongoing international conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Trump further argued that Pope Leo XIV had been unfair in his assessments of his administration, while referencing past restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also expressed disagreement with the Pope’s stance on global security issues, particularly Iran’s nuclear ambitions, saying he would not support a leader who tolerates such developments.
In response, Iran’s President Pezeshkian issued a statement on social media condemning Trump’s remarks and expressing solidarity with the pontiff. He described the comments as insulting and said that disrespect toward religious figures undermines global peace and understanding.
The exchange has added to already rising diplomatic tensions between Washington, Tehran, and other global actors, with analysts warning that such public confrontations could further strain fragile international relations.