Pope Leo slams 'those who manipulate religion' for war, as White House invokes divine calling

Pope Leo slams 'those who manipulate religion' for war, as White House invokes divine calling Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 04/16/2026 - 20:06 The first American pope's criticism of US policies has not gone down well with President Donald Trump Pope Leo XIV holds a holy Mass at the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Annaba, Algeria, on 14 April 2026 (Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane) Off Pope Leo XIV on Thursday issued what may be his most explicit condemnation yet of the Trump administration's use of biblical invocations to justify the US-Israeli war on Iran , as tensions between the Vatican and the White House ramp up. "Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth," Pope Leo wrote on X, citing his own remarks on a visit to Cameroon. "The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants," he said in his speech.