In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed the pope was a surprise choice who was only added to the list of candidates because he was American, in an apparent bid to curry favor with the Trump administration.
"If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican," Trump wrote.
"Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise. He wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump," he added.
Trump further described the pontiff as weak on crime and nuclear weapons, statements that appear tied to the pope’s public criticism of military actions.
The US president’s criticism comes as Pope Leo XIV delivered a strong anti-war sermon at St. Peter’s Basilica on April 11.
"Death enslaves those who have turned their backs on the living God, turning themselves and their own power into a mute, blind and deaf idol. Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!" the pontiff said.
Observers note that the pope’s recent sermons include direct references to developments in the Middle East and criticism of the US administration.