Trump says he won’t apologize to Pope Leo and explains his reason for posting much-criticized meme

Weather ePaper Today’s Paper Journalism of Courage Home ePaper India Cities UPSC Premium Entertainment Politics Sports World Explained Opinion Business Lifestyle Tech Subscribe Sign In TrendingUPSC OfferIPL 2026US NewsPuzzles & GamesLegal NewsFresh TakeHealthResearch🎙️ Podcast Advertisement NewsWorldUS NewsTrump says he won't apologize to Pope Leo and explains his reason for posting much-criticized meme Trump says he won’t apologize to Pope Leo and explains his reason for posting much-criticized meme Leo, the first US-born pope, pushed back in remarks to reporters, saying his position comes from the Church’s message of peace. By: Express Global Desk 3 min readApr 14, 2026 04:58 AM IST First published on: Apr 14, 2026 at 04:51 AM IST Make us preferred source on Google Share Comments Bookmark Bookmark Print Share Whatsapp twitter Facebook President Donald Trump speaks with reporters outside the Oval Office of the White House. (Photo: AP) US President Donald Trump said he will not apologise to Pope Leo XIV after criticising the pontiff over his stance on the war in Iran, and defended a now-deleted social media post that drew backlash. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Trump said the pope had gone public with his views and he was “just responding”. “He was very much against what I’m doing with regard to Iran, and you cannot have a nuclear Iran,” Trump said, according to AP. “I think he’s very weak on crime and other things, so I’m not going to apologise.” Leo, the first US-born pope, pushed back in remarks to reporters, saying his position comes from the Church’s message of peace. “To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here… is not understanding the message of the Gospel,” he said, as reported by AP. “I will continue… promoting dialogue and multilateralism.” He added that he was not targeting Trump personally but speaking more broadly against war. The exchange highlights growing tensions between the two figures as the conflict in Iran enters its seventh week. Trump also addressed criticism over an image he shared online that appeared to depict him in a saint-like role. The post was later deleted. “I thought it was me as a doctor… making people better,” he said, blaming “fake news” for the reaction. The image had drawn criticism, including from some religious groups. US Vice-President JD Vance described the post as “a joke” and said it was removed after people “weren’t understanding his humour”. Direct criticism of a US president by a pope is uncommon, and Trump’s response has also been unusual. Trump had earlier written that he was “not a fan” of Leo and accused him of being “terrible for foreign policy”. He also suggested the pope’s election was linked to his own presidency. In response, Catholic leaders in the US urged restraint. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley said he was “disheartened”, adding that the pope “is not a politician” but speaks from the teachings of the Church. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More