In the latest development regarding US President Donald Trump's harsh criticism of Pope Leo XIV yesterday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has condemned what he called an "insult" to the pontiff, CNN reports.
“I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free man,” Pezeshkian said in a message to the pope on X. “I wish you glory with the help of Allah.”
Mehdi Tabatabaei, deputy for communications in Pezeshkian's office, also condemned Trump's comments, comparing the so-called "character assassination" of the pope to the assassination of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"When the great religious leader of the Islamic world is assassinated with such open audacity and Westerners watch in silence, it is not at all surprising that they would resort to character assassination of the great leader of the world's Christians, His Holiness Pope Leo," Tabatabai said.
In comments made yesterday, Trump said he is "not a fan of Pope Leo," condemning his stance on the war in Iran and saying the pontiff is "terrible at foreign policy."
Pope Leo hit back at the criticism today, telling reporters: "I have no fear of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel, which I believe is why I am here, why the church is here."
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