U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, calling the pontiff “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” escalating tensions following the pope’s criticism of the war involving Iran.

The pope responded in an interview with NBC News, saying he would continue to speak out in favor of peace without fear of political backlash.

“I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly about the message of the gospel,” he said while traveling aboard the papal plane. “We are not politicians. We approach these issues as people of faith and as peacemakers.”

Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, arrived Monday in Algeria as part of an 11-day tour across four African nations.

Trump’s remarks came in response to the pope’s criticism of the conflict, delivered both in comments to reporters and in a social media post. Speaking at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the president doubled down on his stance.

“I don’t think he’s doing a very good job,” Trump said. “He likes crime, I guess.”

The exchange marks a rare public clash between a U.S. president and a sitting pope, highlighting deep divisions over foreign policy and the role of moral authority in global conflicts.