American-born Pope Leo may not visit US while Trump is president after diplomat meeting disaster: report [View all]

Source: The Independent

Wednesday 08 April 2026 17:44 EDT


Pope Leo XIV may not return to the U.S. while President Donald Trump remains in office, according to a report citing a contentious meeting between a Catholic official and the Pentagon.

The Pope, an American, has been vocal in his criticism of Trump's policies, particularly when it comes to immigration and war. The Catholic leader has condemned the war in Iran and said that the Trump administration's treatment of immigrants has been "extremely disrespectful."

On Monday, The Free Press reported that in the wake of the Pope's annual address to the Vatican’s diplomatic corps in January, in which he criticized states seeking conflict around the globe, the Department of Defense invited Cardinal Christophe Pierre for a meeting. At the time, Pierre was serving as Pope Leo’s personal envoy to the United States.

The Pentagon requesting a meeting with a Vatican official is "unprecedented," according to the report. According to Vatican and U.S. officials who were briefed on the meeting and spoke to the publication, the Pentagon criticized the Pope's statements in January, interpreting them as hostile attacks on Trump's policies.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/pope-leo-visit-us-trump-president-b2954080.html