Donald Trump publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV, stating that he does not believe the U.S.-born global Catholic leader is performing well.

President Donald Trump delivered an extraordinary broadside against Pope Leo XIV on Sunday night, saying he didn't think the U.S.-born global leader of the Catholic Church is "doing a very good job." <img alt="President Donald Trump speaks with reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sunday, April 12, 2026, after he returned from Miami." src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5867x3911+0+0/resize/5867x3911!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcd%2F3d%2F26...