Trump calls out Pope Leo XIV for meeting with ‘useless’ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson

Trump's post intensified his ongoing clash with the Vatican and local leader over international conflicts.
Trump blasts Pope Leo XIV on Truth Social for meeting with Chicago Mayor (@ChicagosMayor/X, AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Trump blasts Pope Leo XIV on Truth Social for meeting with Chicago Mayor (@ChicagosMayor/X, AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Saturday, May 30, slammed Pope Leo XIV, writing that the Vatican should have warned the pontiff not to waste time with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson because the politician is “useless.”

Trump also used his message to double down on his view that the American-born Pope is completely wrong about the ongoing war in Iran.

President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump criticizes Pope for meeting Chicago Mayor

Trump took to 'Truth Social,' to criticize the meeting, he said, "Someone should explain to the Pope that the Mayor of Chicago is useless, and that Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon!”  

His post featured pictures that Johnson had shared on X from his visit to the Vatican on Friday. 

The images showed Johnson gifting a small Chicago flag to Pope Leo and both men smiling with a Chicago Cubs hat.



The gesture stood out because the Pope was born in Chicago in 1955 and actually roots for the rival Chicago White Sox. 

Even though Trump criticized the meeting, the mayor stated that it was “one of the most awe-inspiring and humbling experiences of my life.”



Trump's previous criticism of the pontiff

This comes just a month after their major public feud. In April, Trump heavily criticized the pontiff for criticizing his choices on the Iran war, crime, and COVID-19. 

Trump stated the Pope had “terrible” views on foreign policy and called him “weak” on crime and nuclear weapons.

He even took credit for the Chicago native becoming the first American Pope last year.

“I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History,” Trump stated, adding, “Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise.”

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: The newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. White smoke was seen over the Vatican early this evening as the Conclave of Cardinals took just two days to elect Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo (Leone) XIV, as the 267th Supreme Pontiff after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
The newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Previous clashes over Iran war and border policies

Trump also declared that he did not “want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.”

That message came after Pope Leo condemned Trump’s threat to destroy a “whole civilization” in Iran if its leaders refused to sign a deal, calling the threat “truly unacceptable.”

The Pope opposed the war three days later, stating that “God does not bless any conflict.”

The year before, the Pope also attacked the administration's “extremely disrespectful” treatment of illegal immigrants.

While their relationship had calmed down recently, Trump’s new post could easily start another feud.

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