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Pope Leo XIV didn't say Trump's immigration policies trampled on 'teachings of the church'

Social media users often falsely attribute quotes to Leo that he supposedly said about U.S. President Donald Trump.

by Rae Deng, May 15, 2025

Photo collage with the head of Pope Leo, a white man in a white papal robe and skullcap, inside a quotation mark dialogue box.

Image courtesy of Christopher Furlong accessed on Getty Images, illustrated by Snopes

Since Pope Leo XIV became pontiff in May 2025, social media users have incorrectly attributed numerous quotes to him.

Many of these quotes have attempted to portray Leo, the first American pope in history, as criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration. For example, we've determined that Leo did not call Trump a "vicious, old b******" and that he never said Vice President JD Vance "flip-flops faster than the pages in the Bible."

Here are nine questionable quotes attributed to the pope that we've debunked:

By Rae Deng

Rae Deng specializes in government/politics and is based in Tacoma, Wash.

A collage of the heads of U.S. President Donald Trump, a white man with short blonde hair wearing a suit, and Pope Leo XIV, a white man in traditional white papal clothing, including a white skullcap.

Don't believe claim Pope Leo XIV gave 'fiery sermon' after Trump called him 'insult to Jesus'

March 30, 2026

Leo has previously said God does not listen to leaders who "wage war" and whose "hands are full ...

Pope Leo, an elderly white man, wears the traditional all-white outfit and papal frock and waves to a crowd.

Tune out claim Pope Leo XIV went live at 3 a.m. to share 'urgent message'

March 25, 2026

Snopes has debunked multiple claims that various prominent figures have shared such messages.

A composite image shows Pope Leo XIV and U.S. President Donald Trump against a yellow background.

Did Pope Leo XIV call Trump 'vicious, old b******'? Don't be fooled

March 24, 2026

Pope Leo was apparently one of many celebrities who made the exact same accusation in 2026.

Pope Leo XIV, an older white man with glasses wearing a white frock and simple, papal hat, raises his hands as he speaks into a microphone.

Did Pope Leo XIV say about Trump, 'Do not let power turn leaders into kings'?

March 18, 2026

The pontiff's alleged quote about U.S. President Donald Trump was said to have "set the Internet ...

A white man wearing a white robe and cap raises his left hand.

Pope Leo XIV never said 'to be called woke in a world that sleeps through suffering is no insult'

Nov. 12, 2025

Since Pope Leo XIV's election in May 2025, numerous fabricated quotes have been falsely attribut ...

Pope Leo XIV didn't say Trump 'chose the road of darkness, bitterness and lies'

Sept. 30, 2025

"His words mislead, his attacks divide, and his greed for power is tearing this nation apart," P ...

Did Pope Leo XIV say, 'You cannot follow both Christ and the cruelty of kings'?

Sept. 8, 2025

The Vatican confirmed that – given the circulation of quotes without sources – all the pope’s sp ...

A white man is claimed to have said, "Vance you flip flop faster than pages in the Bible."

Pope Leo XIV didn't say JD Vance 'flip-flops faster than pages in the Bible'

May 25, 2025

"You've turned religion into a factory for manufacturing votes," Pope Leo XIV allegedly said of ...

Pope Leo XIV didn't say Trump's immigration policies trampled on 'teachings of the church'

May 15, 2025

The digitally altered video claims the pope called Trump's policies "a hideous manifestation of ...

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