Trump escalates dispute with Pope over remarks
April 13, 2026 • Al Jazeera
US President Donald Trump has reiterated his stance on the controversy surrounding his comments about Pope Francis.
According to reports, Trump had previously referred to the Pope as “weak” during a speech, sparking widespread criticism. The incident was further highlighted when an image of Trump dressed as Jesus Christ was shared by one of his supporters.
In response to the backlash, Trump has refused to apologize for his remarks. His administration has maintained that the President’s comments were taken out of context and did not intend to offend the Pope or the Catholic Church.
The Vatican has yet to comment on the matter, but it is understood that Pope Francis was not present at the event where Trump made the remarks.
Trump’s team has also released a statement saying that the image shared by his supporter was “a joke” and not intended to be taken seriously. However, many have criticized the move as insensitive and tone-deaf.
The controversy has sparked debate among politicians and world leaders, with some calling for Trump to apologize for his comments. Others have defended the President’s right to free speech.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Vatican will respond to Trump’s remarks. The Pope is expected to address the issue in a statement soon.
Source: Al Jazeera