Ongoing Dispute Between Vatican and Trump Administration
The ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and the Vatican over the war in Iran took another turn on Wednesday when Pope Leo shared a message of peace and healing following the latest critical remarks from the White House.
Vice President's Criticism of the Pope
On Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance capped several days of insults by suggesting that the pontiff was not being truthful in theological matters and did not understand the concept of war.
“How can you say that God is never on the side of those who wield the sword?” the vice-president said during a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia, where he was interrupted by anti-war protesters.
“Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated Holocaust camps? It’s very, very important for the pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology … you’ve got to make sure it’s anchored in the truth.”
JD Vance's Earlier Remarks
A day earlier, Vance, a Catholic convert, urged the US-born Pope Leo XIV “to stick to matters of morality” after an earlier statement in which Leo denounced the US-Israel war in Iran.
“God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs,” Leo wrote.
Pope Leo's Response and Message
On Wednesday, the pope spoke with reporters aboard the papal plane en route to Cameroon on a trip to Africa. He did not directly address Vance’s comments or the recent barrage of criticisms from Donald Trump, who labelled him “weak” and “terrible.”
However, his remarks made clear that the ongoing five-day dispute, which began on Saturday when Leo said during evening prayers at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City that a “fog of war” surrounded the Iran conflict, was on his mind.
He used his visit on Tuesday to Annaba, the ancient city of Hippo where St Augustine, a theological and philosophical giant of the early church, served as bishop for over 30 years, as a framework for his message.
“His writings, his teaching, his spirituality, his invitation to search for God and to search for truth is something that is very much needed today, a message that is very real for all of us today as believers in Jesus Christ, but for all people,” Leo said.
By visiting Hippo, Leo said he wished to offer the church and the world a vision that St Augustine provides regarding the pursuit of “unity among all peoples and respect for all people in spite of the differences.”
He declined to take questions from reporters but continued to emphasize that dialogue and healing, rather than force, anger, and hatred, are essential components in resolving conflict.
Leo recalled that the majority of Algerians are Muslim, yet they respect and honor St Augustine as “one of the great sons of their land.” He noted that such an attitude helps build bridges between Christians and Muslims and promotes dialogue.
“The visit to the mosque was significant to say that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshiping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace,” Leo said.
“And so I think that to promote that kind of image is something which the world needs to hear today.”
Contrast Between Pope Leo and Trump
Leo’s approach to the dispute contrasts sharply with that of Trump. In addition to repeatedly insulting the head of the Catholic Church on his Truth Social platform, the president on Monday shared a “blasphemous” AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus Christ-like healer after backlash from his supporters on the religious right.
Trump’s attacks have generally not been well received, even among his loyal base, and certainly not in Rome, where a majority of tourists and business owners who spoke to expressed disapproval.
This week’s dispute is not the first time Trump, a fervent promoter of conservative Christianity, has mocked the Vatican or upset the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church.
In May last year, during the official mourning period for Pope Francis, Trump announced he “would like to be pope” and posted images of himself dressed in a white cassock and miter, wearing a gold crucifix necklace.
On Wednesday, Trump shared an AI image of himself being held by Jesus Christ with a caption referencing the exposing of “satanic, demonic, child sacrificing monsters,” and stated, “God might be playing his Trump card.” Trump wrote alongside the image and its accompanying text:
“The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!!”
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
