America is the largest Christian country in the world, where the total population of people of Christian religion is 69%. President Donald Trump describes himself as a Christian and won 55% support from Catholic voters in the 2024 election, but in April 2026, he had an open dispute with Pope Leo XIV (the first American Pope born in Chicago). This conflict is mainly about the US-Israeli military operation on Iran. The Pope condemned the war, while Trump considered it an attack on his foreign policy and launched a direct attack on the Pope. In the explainer, let us understand the story of the years-long conflict between the state and the church…

Question 1: What is the full story of Trump and Pope’s dispute over Iran war?
answer: The dispute began in January 2026 when the Trump administration removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power. Pope Leo XIV criticized this action. Then in April 2026, America and Israel launched military attacks on Iran. The Pope called it ‘the illusion of omnipotence’ and declared the war wrong. ‘God does not hear the prayers of those who fight,’ he said at a mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Trump considered this an attack on his policy and said that he does not want a Pope who would allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. On April 13, 2026, Trump told reporters, I don’t think he (the Pope) is doing a good job. This is like a crime. He generated an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus and posted it on social media. However, it was later deleted after backlash. The Pope visited Algeria and told reporters that he was not afraid of the Trump administration and would continue to spread the message of the Gospel.

Question 2: What does this confrontation mean and what could happen next?
answer: This conflict reflects the deep tension between moral guidance (the Pope) and political responsibility (the President). Even in a Christian-dominated country like America, this controversy is special because Pope Leo XIV himself is an American. Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni called Trump’s words unacceptable. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said the Pope is a symbol of peace.

Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi described Trump as a ‘breaker of relations’. Iranian President Masoud Pejshkian also criticized Trump. US Vice President JD Vance told the Vatican that they should be limited to matters of morality. The author of Catholic Connect says this is the worst debate in history. History shows that such conflicts are mostly resolved through diplomacy, but if both sides remain adamant, the divide may increase. Trump has not apologized and the Pope will continue to give a message of peace.

Question 3: What is the long history of conflict between American presidents and the Pope?
answer: The history of confrontation between American presidents and the Pope begins in 1919, when for the first time an American President met the Pope.

• On January 4, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson meets with Pope Benedict XV at the Vatican. This was the first meeting. The two talked about peace after the world war, but the meeting ended strangely. When the Pope asked everyone to bless, Wilson (not a Catholic) stood while the Catholics knelt. This was the first ‘uncomfortable moment’.
• President Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to establish formal diplomatic relations with the Vatican, but only sent a personal envoy due to opposition from the Senate and the Protestant majority.
• President Harry Truman tried to appoint an ambassador to the Vatican in 1951, but there was so much opposition from the Protestant community that the nominee resigned. This was the first major political controversy.
• In 1963, President John F. Kennedy meets with (Catholic) Pope Paul VI. This was the first meeting between a Catholic president and a Pope, but before the election Kennedy was accused of ‘Vatican influence because he is a Catholic’, which he denied. The meeting went well, but there was tension in the background.
• President Richard Nixon meets with Pope Paul VI in 1970. The meeting was described as less than pleasant, rather acrimonious.
• In 1993, there was an open dispute between President Bill Clinton and Pope John Paul II over abortion and population control. The Clinton administration supported abortion rights, while the Pope was strongly against it.
• President George W. Bush and Pope John Paul II had differences over the Iraq War and stem cell research. In 2004 the Pope condemned the Iraq War. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI also had different positions on the Iraq War, death penalty and abortion.
• There was a big dispute between President Barack Obama and Pope Francis on ‘mandatory cover of contraceptive drugs’. There was opposition to giving it to Catholic hospitals and institutions. When they met in 2015, both agreed on poverty and inequality, but there was tension over religious freedom and abortion.
• In 2016, there was also an altercation between Trump and Pope Francis. There was controversy over migration policy and the border wall, but it did not reach this level.

Question 4: How does America, despite being the largest Christian country, turn against the church?
answer: By 2026, there will be approximately 213 to 217 million Christians in America, which is the highest number in the world. Yet this sometimes conflicts with the moral advice of the Pope or the Catholic Church. The reason for this is not any ‘anti-church’, but the basic constitutional system of America. It is clearly written in the First Amendment of the US Constitution, ‘The government cannot make any religion the state religion nor can it restrict the freedom of any religion.’ Thomas Jefferson called it ‘the wall between church and state’ in 1802.

America was founded by those people who fled from Europe and faced persecution there in the name of religion. So the Founders deliberately made sure that no religious institution could direct the government. The President takes oath on the Constitution, not on the Church.

Foreign affairs expert and NEHU professor Prosenjit Biswas says, ‘When policy issues like war, abortion, immigration, equal rights or foreign policy conflict with the moral teachings of the Church, the US President gives priority to the national interest, the demands of the voters and constitutional responsibility. For example, in the ongoing dispute between Trump and Pope Leo XIV regarding the Iran war, the Pope talks about peace and morality, while Trump gives priority to America First and security. There have been many disagreements before this also. America is a ‘Christian majority’ country, but not a ‘Christian state’. There is religious freedom here, but the state is secular. This is the reason why despite being the largest Christian country, it does not consider the moral orders of the Church as binding, but considers it a part of its democratic freedom.

In 69% Christian America, this Trump-Pope Leo XIV dispute is a new chapter in the old story of Church vs State. There has been a conflict between morality and security on issues like the Iran war and Venezuela. History is witness to the fact that such disputes between power and morality have always been going on, but solutions can be found only through dialogue.

TIME Releases 100 Most Influentials: America’s prestigious Time magazine on Wednesday released the list of the world’s 100 most influential people, which includes many big names associated with politics, diplomacy and global leadership. Veteran leaders like Pope Leo, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been included in this list. The inclusion of the name of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also become a topic of special discussion.

presence of global leaders

Other global leaders whose names are included in this list include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Canadian PM Mark Carney, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Japan’s first female PM Sanei Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This list recognizes every year those individuals who have had a profound impact on politics, society, economy or culture at the global level. This year’s list clearly reflects current global tensions, diplomatic activities and the role of leadership.

This time, many new and important faces from South Asia and America have also been included in the list of Time’s 100 most influential people, which reflect the changing global political scenario. Balen Shah and Tarique Rahman have been given place from South Asia, which shows their emerging influence in regional politics.

Important names from America and Middle East

Many prominent American and diplomatic faces are also included in this list: The newly elected leader of South Asia, Prime Minister of Nepal Balen Shah and Tariq Rahman of Bangladesh have also been included in this list of Time. Apart from this, US Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, California Governor Gavin Newsom, White House Chief of Staff Suze Wills, Joint Chief of Staff Dan Cain and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are included.

This list indicates that not only the traditional big leaders, but also the faces working at the regional and administrative level are now coming under the ambit of global influence. This list of TIME clearly reflects the new emerging leaders and the changing balance of power in global politics.

Also read: Sexual harassment, rape and religious conversion…, HR Nida Khan absconding in TCS Nashik case, what happened till now?

The war of words has intensified between the world’s big personalities. Pope Leo has clearly said that he has no fear of US President Donald Trump and he will continue to raise his voice against the war, no matter how much criticism.

Not afraid of Trump, talk of peace will continue
On Monday, Pope Leo responded to Trump’s statements by saying, ‘I have no fear of the Trump administration.’ He said that the Vatican repeatedly appeals for peace and this is not related to any politics, but to the teachings of Christianity. He also said that it is wrong to link his message to Trump’s political statements and that he will continue to move forward on his mission.

Warning on ‘illusion of power’
Pope Leo said his statements were not against any single leader, but against the growing “illusion of omnipotence” in the world, which is fueling wars. He stressed that the Church’s aim is not conflict, but peace and reconciliation.
Also read: ‘If Iranian port is threatened, nothing will be safe’, IRGC threatens America

Trump’s counterattack – called the Pope ‘weak’
At the same time, Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on the Pope, calling him ‘weak on crime’ and ‘bad for foreign policy’. He said that the Pope opposes America’s policies, especially the steps against Iran. Trump also said that he does not like a Pope who, according to him, does not take a tough stance against Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons.

Gave advice saying ‘very liberal’
Trump further said that he is not a big fan of Pope Leo and described him as “very liberal”. He also advised that the Pope should stay away from politics and focus on religious work, as such statements could harm the Church.
Also read: First threat of 50% tariff, now recommendation to buy oil from US… Trump’s new maneuver amid Iran war

Pope’s global appeal – ‘Stop the war now’
Earlier on Saturday, Pope Leo had appealed to world leaders to end the war. He said, ‘Now stop worshiping your own power and money, now stop the war.’ The Pope appealed to leaders to adopt the path of dialogue and compromise and warned that religion should not be used to justify violence. He said that real power lies in protecting life, not in destroying it.