When global leaders prioritize victory over diplomacy, the resulting aftermath is rarely just political—it is brutal and deeply personal. Trump sees himself as the saint, the Almighty, framing his Presidency as grandiose and, at this point, highly personal. It raises serious concerns about influence by our political figures. In recent years, Donald Trump has frequently adopted rhetoric that emphasizes strength and confrontation over negotiation. With his ego held high, he fears no soul in criticizing Pope Leo XIV, speaking out about his hope that harmony will prosper. His rhetorical methods would only raise questions about what morals he compromises.
With the attacks on Iran being close to over, Trump continues to issue serious threats towards Iran, as they did not comply with Trump's peace talks. As of April 2026, the US military has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, halting trade by sea. In the same year, the Strait of Hormuz would close as a result of the attacks, disrupting economies across Asia, since it houses one-fifth of the world's crude oil supply—a commodity for all nations that affects quality of life. As it continues to disrupt the global market, Trump's threats prioritize self-preservation over diplomacy, together with Israel, headed by Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Peace is the expected aftermath of conflicts, that destruction would give way to restoration. In the context of the events transpiring, it's being used for selfish desires, to confuse with harmony and create discord afterward. Pope Leo XIV would criticize the Trump administration and call for an end to the conflict in West Asia. The Pope sees this as his moral duty, unafraid of any political entity like Trump.
Trump would lambast the Pope for his views on the current attack on Iran, which Trump would exclaim that he would not allow a "nuclear Iran." In his lens, the Pope has sided with Iran. However, the Pope did not choose sides to prove what is good, nor did he ever espouse ideologies that oppose the Trump administration; only the word "peace" seemed to set Trump off.
To call a peacemaker of the Church weak in crime and terrible in foreign policy is a threat in itself to how leaders act professionally and ethically. The rhetoric Trump is using seems more performative than it is rational. As he continues to treat geopolitics as a kindergarten sandbox, the real-world consequences that are occurring in Iran, and, through the pattern, may affect neighboring nations in West Asia, and the results may become more devastating if it is not alleviated.
Leaders are elected to alleviate the problems of their constituents and to take an interest in their citizens and international partners. Yet, absolute diplomacy cannot be attained when pride is at the center. In Trump's case, the calls for peace have intensified on the pontiff, who says no apologies should be made for his mission.
To make matters even more pressing, Trump, in a now-deleted post, depicted himself as Jesus Christ in healing his wounded kin. Not only is this concerning on a moral standpoint, but it is terrifying to realize that a leader like Trump would position himself as a saint. But he later claimed it was a doctor and that the AI did not receive his prompt. This only makes his practice disingenuous at best. Allowing leadership from entities like Trump creates an overlap between moral authority and political ambition.
Case in point: Foreign policy does not cultivate itself as sacred, from which people venerate their faith. Allowing actions like this to persist only creates a more hollow grave for leaders like Trump, one that no nation would wish to cooperate with. Wars continue to inevitably shape global affairs, and history has shown us the devastating results. It simply does no good—the exact point of the Pope. As the cardinals and priests remain neutral, speaking only for the greater good of humanity, it highlights a stark reality.
