Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) urged President Donald Trump to “leave the church alone” after the president sharply criticized the pope over the war in Iran.
Thune made the remarks when asked about Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo XIV, who has condemned the conflict and called for immediate de-escalation.
Trump in recent days has rebuked the pope for speaking out against U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets, accusing the pontiff of interfering in matters of state and undermining American foreign policy. The president said on social media that the pope is “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.”
The pope has described the war as unacceptable and urged global leaders to pursue peace, placing the Vatican at odds with the administration’s approach. He has accused Trump of “abusing” the Christian message.
The clash comes as the conflict, which began in late February with U.S. and Israeli strikes on
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