Masoud Pezeshkian has condemned comments by Donald Trump targeting Pope Leo XIV, describing them as an insult to the papacy and a “desecration of Jesus Christ.”
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The Iranian president made the remarks in a post on X on Monday, reacting to Trump’s criticism of the 70-year-old pontiff, whom he described as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.”
“His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran, and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person,” Pezeshkian wrote.
Trump had made the comments on Sunday while responding to the Pope’s criticism of ongoing conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The U.S. president argued that the pontiff unfairly criticised his administration while overlooking actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“He’s a very liberal person, and he’s a man that doesn’t believe in stopping crime,” Trump said, adding that he does not “want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
He further claimed, “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”
The remarks sparked widespread reactions globally, with Iran strongly rebuking the statements.
Responding to the controversy, the Pope maintained that he would not be drawn into a political confrontation but would continue to advocate peace.
“I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly about the message of the gospel,” he said during a trip to Algeria, according to reports.
“I don’t want to get into a debate with Trump. Too many people are suffering in the world today. Someone has to stand up and say there’s a better way.”
The development comes amid heightened tensions following recent U.S. military actions against Iran under Operation Epic Fury, which triggered retaliatory strikes and ongoing diplomatic efforts that have yet to yield a breakthrough.
Despite the criticism, the pontiff reiterated his commitment to promoting dialogue, peace, and an end to global conflicts.
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