Donald Trump criticized the Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, calling him out after he met with Pope Leo XIV and after Johnson denounced the U.S. President in a subsequent press conference. Trump responded via social media:
Someone should explain to the Pope that the mayor of Chicago is useless and that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons.
For months, the Trump administration has accused Chicago leaders of encouraging crime and of refusing to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Vatican has not provided details about the meeting, but Johnson indicated that U.S. immigration and the war in Iran were discussed.
Pope Leo has of course also come under Trump's direct verbal fire for his opposition to the military offensive launched by the United States and Israel against Iran.
This opposition has sparked reactions from Trump on several occasions, who has previously argued that “the pontiff was putting Catholics at risk.” Pope Leo stood his ground, stating:
“If anyone wishes to criticize me, let them do so truthfully. The Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years, and there is no doubt about that.”
