Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent criticism of Pope Leo XIV, describing the remarks as an insult to the pontiff and a “desecration of Jesus Christ.”
Trump had said on Sunday that he is “not a big fan” of Pope Leo XIV, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” in comments that have since triggered global reactions.
The U.S. president’s remarks came in response to the American-born pope’s criticism of ongoing conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Trump further accused the pontiff of political bias, insisting he had ignored earlier restrictions on religious gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“He’s a very liberal person, and he’s a man that doesn’t believe in stopping crime,” the U.S. president said.
He added that he does not “want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” and said, “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”
The comments sparked widespread outrage across diplomatic and religious circles.
Reacting in a post on X on Monday, Pezeshkian wrote, “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex), 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. I wish you glory by Allah.”
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have remained high in recent months, following reported U.S.-Israeli coordinated strikes on Iran under Operation Epic Fury, which triggered retaliatory attacks from Tehran across parts of the Gulf region.
A reconciliation meeting held over the weekend in Islamabad, Pakistan, ended without agreement, further underscoring the strained relations among the parties involved.
