Pope Leo 'shades' Donald Trump after president seemingly tried to take credit for historical event

Pope Leo XIV's comments at his first ever press conference as head of the Catholic Church have been interpreted as a subtle dig at Trump - after the US president seemed to take credit for him getting the role in the first place.

Pope Leo’s appointment marked the first time in history that an American had been voted in to take the position as leader of the Catholic world.

And surprisingly Trump argued that his return to the White House played a role in this, despite him not having anything to do with the conclave process that selects a new pope.

Writing on Truth Social on May 12, Trump insisted because he ‘won the Catholic vote’ he had influenced the appointment of Pope Leo.

He made this rather odd claim while taking shots at ABC’s Martha Raddatz.

In a post, he said: “So funny to watch old timer Martha Raditz on ABC Fake News (the Slopadopolus show!) this morning, blurt out that, effectively, Pope Leo’s selection had nothing to do with Donald Trump.

Trump suggested he influenced the pope's selection during a rant on Truth Social(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“It came out of nowhere, but it was on her Trump Deranged Mind. Remember, I did WIN the Catholic Vote, by a lot! Bob Iger should do something about the losers and haters he’s got on his low rated shows. It’s time for change. MAGA!!!”

Hours later, Pope Leo delivered his first press conference, which has ironically been interpreted by some as a ‘shade’ at Trump - who, if his past tweets are anything to go by, he doesn't see eye to eye with.

Speaking to journalists in Italian at a press conference at the Vatican on May 12, he called for more understanding and open dialogue and praised journalists for their work, vastly contrasting Trump’s usual attack on the media.

Pope Leo said: “The way we communicate is of fundamental importance: We must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war.

Pope Leo called for the end of a war of words between people and praised journalists(ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

“Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism, and even hatred; let us free it from aggression. We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.”

Speaking more generally about journalists who work the most dangerous of jobs, he praised them for their dedication to their craft, even at the cost of their well-being.

He said: “The Church recognizes these witnesses—I am thinking of those who report on war even at the cost of their lives—the courage of those who defend dignity, justice, and the right of people to be informed, because only informed individuals can make free choices.”

Many thought his message about 'loud, forceful communication' was a dig at Trump given his frequent all caps Truth Social posts and divisive comments, with one Twitter user commenting on a tweet about the pope's speech: "Cc: @WhiteHouse @realDonaldTrump"

Others described the comments as 'shading Trump'.

Following the press conference, the pope was asked by NewsNation correspondent Robert Sherman if he had 'any message for the United States'.

His loaded reply was: "Many. God bless you all."