Coverage dated April 12, 2026 to April 16, 2026

Trump’s feud with the Pope sparks backlash: The Conversation

Headline from Newsweek, on the newest of 3 developments

Newsweek readers react as the president's war of words with the Pope sparks backlash and debate over religion’s role in politics.

Newsweek's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Developments in this update

3 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

Apr 13, 2026
Donald Trump Goes On Tirade Against The Pope
Headline from Deadline ·
Apr 14, 2026
Pope Leo's feud with Trump overshadows his spiritual homecoming
Headline from NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth ·
Apr 16, 2026Newest
Trump’s feud with the Pope sparks backlash: The Conversation
Headline from Newsweek ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

27 articles, oldest first.

Deadline
Donald Trump Goes On Tirade Against The Pope (opens Deadline)
Published Apr 12, 2026
Deadline's feed description
Trump's post came after 60 Minutes ran a segment on Leo and U.S. cardinals opposition to the war in Iran.
Lamag
Trump Feud With Pope Leo Escalates Amid AI Jesus Image (opens Lamag)
Published Apr 12, 2026
Lamag's feed description
Trump attacks Pope Leo and posts AI Jesus image, sparking backlash as tensions between the White House and Vatican intensify
Washington Examiner
Thune urges Trump to 'leave the church alone' after attacking pope (opens Washington Examiner)
Published Apr 13, 2026
Washington Examiner's feed description
Leo has accused Trump of “abusing” the Christian message, while Trump said the pontiff is “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.”
The Conversation US
Trump’s exchange with Pope Leo reflects deep-rooted tensions between the Vatican and the United States: 4 essential reads (opens The Conversation US)
Published Apr 13, 2026
The Conversation US's feed description
Pope Leo responded firmly to Trump’s scathing criticism. A deeper dive into our archives explains how the exchange might well show a recurring dynamic.
amNewYork
NYC Catholic leaders react to President Trump’s shocking social media statement against Pope Leo XIV (opens amNewYork)
Published Apr 13, 2026
amNewYork's feed description
President Trump's stunning Sunday night social media post attacking Pope Leo XIV and his beliefs following the pontiff's criticism over the war in Iran evoked
Newsweek
Donald Trump's pope feud spurs rift with a top European ally (opens Newsweek)
Published Apr 13, 2026
Newsweek's feed description
Trump responded to Italian Prime Minister Meloni describing his comments about Pope Leo XIV as "unacceptable."
The Columbian
The Trump and Leo chronicles: A president and a pope square off over Iran and its aftermath (opens The Columbian)
Published Apr 13, 2026
The Columbian's feed description
Pope Leo XIV, a studious and soft-spoken cleric, and Donald Trump, an unapologetically bellicose and pugilistic politician, have long been on a rhetorical collision course. Now their disagreement over
Digital Journal
President vs. Pope: How feud with Leo could hurt Trump (opens Digital Journal)
Published Apr 13, 2026
Digital Journal's feed description
US President Trump has feuded with Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war -- setting off an unholy row that could have serious political implications.
PJ Media
President Trump Vs. Pope Leo: It's Not Even Close (opens PJ Media)
Published Apr 13, 2026
PJ Media's feed description
A critical analysis comparing President Trump's peace efforts with Pope Leo's leadership and statements.
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
Pope Leo's feud with Trump overshadows his spiritual homecoming (opens NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
Published Apr 14, 2026
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth's feed description
Pope Leo XIV traveled to St. Augustine's hometown in Algeria only for the trip to be overshadowed by his feud with President Trump.
Vox
Donald Trump messed with the wrong pope (opens Vox)
Published Apr 14, 2026
Vox's feed description
Trump fought with Pope Francis before. He’s finding Pope Leo XIV to be a tougher foil.
Newsweek
Pope Leo is America’s most powerful man. That’s why Trump can’t stand him (opens Newsweek)
Published Apr 14, 2026
Newsweek's feed description
'Jealousy only explains part of what is happening. The rest comes down to a power Trump has no authority to touch.'
NPR
Popes have spoken out on politics before. But with Trump and Pope Leo it's different (opens NPR)
Published Apr 14, 2026
NPR's feed description
President Trump's attacks on Pope Leo are unprecedented, religious experts told NPR. Here's how the situation differs from other popes' political critiques.
CNN
‘Textbook blasphemy’: Notre Dame students surprised and dismayed by Trump’s feud with Pope Leo (opens CNN)
Published Apr 14, 2026
CNN's feed description
At one of the United States’ best-known Catholic institutions, students were siding with Pope Leo XIV over President Donald Trump in the wake of Trump’s clash with the pontiff over the Iran war and raising concerns about his recent social media post seemingly depicting himself as Jesus.
The Conversation US
‘I’m not a politician’: why the clash with Pope Leo could prove dangerous for Donald Trump (opens The Conversation US)
Published Apr 15, 2026
The Conversation US's feed description
The US president’s slurs against Pope Leo will cost him votes at home and allies abroad.
Newsweek
Donald Trump shrugs off meeting with Pope Leo amid clash (opens Newsweek)
Published Apr 15, 2026
Newsweek's feed description
President Donald Trump has tried to downplay a rift with Pope Leo XIV, even saying he is "all about the gospel."
Washington Examiner
The pope and Trump are feuding. Why does it matter? (opens Washington Examiner)
Published Apr 15, 2026
Washington Examiner's feed description
The war of words between the president and the pope differentiates itself from past bickering, as politicians have criticized the Catholic Church as a whole.
Al Jazeera
The pope has shown the world how to stand up to Trump (opens Al Jazeera)
Published Apr 15, 2026
Al Jazeera's feed description
Far too many world leaders have chosen to mollify the bullying US president. Pope Leo has shown there’s another way.
Fox News
Pope Leo slams those who 'manipulate religion' for military or political gain, Trump responds (opens Fox News)
Published Apr 15, 2026
Fox News's feed description
Roman Catholic Church leader Pope Leo XIV decried those who leverage religion and God's name for personal political, economic or military benefit.
NPR
Trump's allies defend his remarks about Pope Leo (opens NPR)
Published Apr 15, 2026
NPR's feed description
The Trump administration is largely standing by the president's comments about Pope Leo. What does that mean for the Republican base?
The New Republic
Trump Starts Making Up Things the Pope Said as He Breaks With Reality (opens The New Republic)
Published Apr 15, 2026
The New Republic's feed description
President Trump isn’t willing to give up this fight—even if that means lying about what the pope said.
Newsweek
Trump’s feud with the Pope sparks backlash: The Conversation (opens Newsweek)
Published Apr 16, 2026
Newsweek's feed description
Newsweek readers react as the president's war of words with the Pope sparks backlash and debate over religion’s role in politics.
Fortune
U.S. Catholic leaders criticize Trump for ‘disparaging words’ about the pope as Vatican clash risks alienating Catholic voters (opens Fortune)
Published Apr 16, 2026
Fortune's feed description
The president’s war of words with Pope Leo is threatening a coalition he can’t afford to lose.
CNN
How the first American pope is reclaiming Christian values from the Trump administration (opens CNN)
Published Apr 16, 2026
CNN's feed description
Flying to Algeria at the start of his landmark Africa tour on Monday, Pope Leo had a choice. He could ignore Donald Trump’s extraordinary overnight social media tirade against him, or he could tackle it head-on. He chose the second option.
Foreign Policy
Pope Leo Blasts ‘Tyrants’ in Thinly Veiled Critique of Trump (opens Foreign Policy)
Published Apr 16, 2026
Foreign Policy's feed description
The White House has lashed out at the Vatican’s latest sermons on war and peace.

Showing the first 25 of 27 headlines. ·