Trump says he's 'no big fan' of Pope Leo amid feud with Vatican over Iran war

President Donald Trump.

President Trump and Pope Leo traded barbs over the weekend as the two continued to disagree over the U.S. position in the war against Iran.

On Saturday, Pope Leo suggested a "delusion of omnipotence" is behind Operation Epic Fury while on an 11-day tour through Africa. Trump slammed Leo in a post on Truth Social on Sunday evening, calling the pontiff "weak on crime" and "terrible," and taking shots at Leo's criticism of the president for the war in Iran. "I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon." He also criticized the pope for "catering to the Radical Left."

The president elaborated on his beef with the pope while speaking to reporters on Sunday evening. Trump dismissed the Chicago-native as "a very liberal person and a man that doesn't believe in stopping crime," and added, "I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo."

Leo, who last year became the first-ever American pope, reacted to Trump's criticism, telling reporters, “I have no fear of the Trump administration. I will not enter into debate. The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone. The message of the Gospel is very clear: Blessed are the peacemakers." He added, “I will continue to speak out ‌loudly against war, looking ⁠to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states ⁠to look for just solutions to problems.”

Trump, in his remarks on Truth Social, applauded the pope's brother, Louis Prevost, who visited the president at the White House last year in the weeks after Leo was named pope. Prevost has been a major and open Trump supporter. "I like his brother Louis much better than I like him because Louis is all Maga. He gets it and Leo doesn’t!" Trump said. 

Below, watch Trump discuss his thoughts on Pope Leo.