Fort Worth Bishop Michael Olson says President Donald Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV was disrespectful and has crossed a line.
In a statement released Monday, the leader of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth urged the president to apologize to the pope and to Catholics worldwide. Olson described Trump’s weekend remarks as both disappointing and irresponsible.
The dispute began Sunday when Trump posted on Truth Social, calling the pontiff “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.” The criticism came after Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, spoke out against the ongoing war in Iran and called for peace. Trump also shared — then deleted — an AI-generated image portraying himself in a Christ-like pose.
Please read the statement to the Catholic Faithful of the Diocese of Fort Worth from Bishop Michael F. Olson regarding support for the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV and Recent Public Statementshttps://t.co/DpYRRNYqfx pic.twitter.com/VtkDXTtWw8
— Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth (@FWdiocese) April 14, 2026
Olson emphasized that the pope has a responsibility to speak on issues of morality, justice and peace as the Vicar of Christ, not as a political figure. He said the president’s comments treated the Holy Father as if he were simply another opponent in a political fight.
The bishop’s statement reflects growing concern among some American Catholics over the public feud between the president and the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. Pope Leo has continued to call for an end to violence in the Middle East.
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The dispute began Sunday when Trump posted on Truth Social, calling the pontiff “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.”
The dispute began Sunday when Trump posted on Truth Social, calling the pontiff “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.”
