What's the Fallout from the Dispute between Trump and Pope Leo? | Inside Story

Apr 14, 2026 | Already fraught, the relationship between the US and the Vatican is getting worse. It's the result of an unusual public exchange between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church spoke out against the Iran war, drawing a backlash from the US leader.

But Pope Leo has remained defiant, saying he isn't afraid of the Trump administration.

It's not the first time the White House has been on the receiving end of criticism from the Vatican. So, is this political interference or a moral duty to speak out? And what are the consequences?

Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault

Guests:

Cornel West -- Professor and Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at the Union Theological Seminary
Adolfo Franco -- US Republican strategist
Christopher White -- Vatican journalist and author of a book on Pope Leo