Former U.S. President Donald Trump has said he is “not a big fan” of Pope Leo XIV, following the pontiff’s recent call for global peace and an end to ongoing conflicts.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Trump described the Pope as “a very liberal person,” adding that he “doesn’t believe in stopping crime.”

“I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo,” Trump said, while also accusing the Catholic leader of “toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon,” in reference to Iran.

He reinforced his position in a post on Truth Social, writing: “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”

The remarks came a day after Pope Leo, 70, delivered a strong anti-war message at St. Peter’s Basilica, urging world leaders to end violence.

“Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!” the Pope said.

Despite the apparent tensions, both Washington and the Vatican have downplayed reports of a deepening rift.

A recent report alleging that a U.S. defence official reprimanded the Vatican’s envoy was dismissed by both sides, with the Pentagon calling it “distorted” and the Vatican insisting the account was untrue.

However, differences between the two have been evident on key global issues, including U.S. immigration policies and military actions abroad.

The Pope has previously criticised mass deportations as “inhuman” and condemned aggressive rhetoric, including recent U.S. statements on Iran, urging diplomacy instead.

While the Vatican recently welcomed a temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran as a “sign of hope,” negotiations appear fragile, with talks in Islamabad reportedly ending without a breakthrough after Washington presented what it described as its “final offer.”

The exchange highlights growing ideological differences between political leadership in Washington and the moral stance of the Vatican on issues of war, diplomacy, and global security.