Trump–Pope Clash Escalates After Bomb Threat at Pope’s Brother’s Chicago Home

The war of words between Pope Leo XIV and Donald Trump has taken a darker turn, shifting from political and religious sparring to a security scare in the United States. As Trump continues to rant about the pontiff, and the Pope openly criticizes the administration’s actions in Iran, tensions escalated dramatically with a bomb threat targeting the residence of the Pope’s brother in the Chicago area. According to The New York Times, officers investigating in the southwest of Chicago on Wednesday evening responded to a threat related to John Prevost’s house.

No explosive devices or hazardous materials were found, according to police. Authorities stressed the seriousness of the incident, stating «Making false reports of this nature is a serious offense» and warning that it «may result in criminal charges».

The incident unfolded in New Lenox, a suburb southwest of Chicago, where police quickly secured the area, evacuated nearby residents and deployed specialized units to assess the threat. Officials later confirmed that the alert was a hoax, though the investigation remains ongoing and could lead to arrests. Local authorities maintained a visible presence in the neighborhood into the night, canvassing the area and gathering evidence.

The targeting of John Prevost, who has largely remained outside the political spotlight, raised concerns about the personal consequences of escalating rhetoric between global figures. Law enforcement officials indicated that they are treating the case with urgency given the international context surrounding the individuals involved.

The broader conflict between Trump and Pope Leo XIV has intensified over recent weeks, largely driven by the Pope’s repeated condemnation of the war in Iran. The pontiff has consistently framed the conflict as morally unjustifiable, warning that violence cannot be justified through religion or political ambition.

In one of his most pointed remarks, he declared «God does not bless any conflict», a statement widely interpreted as a direct rebuke of narratives suggesting divine backing for military action.

He also warned against what he described as a «delusion of omnipotence» among world leaders, urging restraint and diplomacy as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East.

Trump responded with a series of increasingly sharp attacks, both in public remarks and on social media, directly targeting the Pope’s leadership and position. The president described the pontiff as «WEAK on crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy», while also stating «I’m not a fan of Pope Leo (XIV)» and accusing him of aligning with the «radical left».

He further escalated his rhetoric by suggesting he did not want «a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon», framing the disagreement as both ideological and strategic, and portraying the Vatican’s stance as disconnected from geopolitical realities.

The Pope, for his part, has refused to engage in the dispute on political terms, instead reiterating his religious mission and distancing himself from partisan conflict. Responding to Trump’s criticism, he stated «I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the gospel», emphasizing that his role is to speak on moral issues rather than engage in political confrontation.

He added «I will not enter into debate», insisting that his remarks were not directed at any individual but reflected a broader call for peace, dialogue and accountability among those in power.

This escalating confrontation is unfolding within a wider diplomatic rift between Washington and the Vatican, fueled by disagreements over foreign policy and global security. The Iran conflict has become a central point of tension, with the Pope urging an end to what he called a «spiral of violence» and warning of a «tragedy of enormous proportions» if the war continues.

As rhetoric intensifies on both sides, the bomb threat in Chicago stands as a stark reminder of how quickly high-level disputes can have real-world consequences, extending beyond diplomacy into the personal safety of those connected to the figures at the center of the conflict.