WANA (Apr 13) – Iran’s president has condemned recent remarks by Donald Trump targeting the leader of the Catholic Church, describing them as inconsistent with the principles of respect for religions and religious figures.

 

Masoud Pezeshkian, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), addressed Pope Leo XIV, stating that on behalf of the Iranian people, he condemns the insult directed at him. He emphasized that disrespect toward Jesus Christ, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is unacceptable to any free human being, and wished the Pope success and dignity.

The reaction came after Donald Trump, in unusually harsh comments, attacked the Pope in a derogatory tone, saying, “The Pope should get himself together,” and claiming, “If I hadn’t become president, he wouldn’t be in the Vatican.” He also accused the Pope of being “weak” on crime and foreign policy, and strongly criticized his positions on issues such as Iran and Venezuela.

 

Trump further stated that he finds some of the Pope’s views unacceptable and urged the leader of the Catholic Church to “focus on being a religious figure rather than engaging in politics.”

 

These explicit and offensive remarks have drawn varied international reactions, once again highlighting tensions between political figures and religious institutions.