What's going on with Donald Trump and Pope Leo? A timeline

The contentious back-and-forth between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV continued over the weekend, with the president lashing out at the pope's criticisms of the war in Iran.

The president also appeared to take issue with a recent closed-door meeting between the Chicago native and a figure close to former President Barack Obama.

Here's a breakdown of what's going on.

How did the situation with Donald Trump and Pope Leo start?

The recent friction began Tuesday, April 7, when Trump threatened to wipe out "a whole civilization" in Iran if the nation's capital didn't make a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The threat proved controversial among many, including the pope, who labeled the comment "truly unacceptable."

"I would invite citizens of all the countries involved to contact the authorities, political leaders, congressman, to ask them to work for peace and to reject war always," the pope said to the press later that day.

Following the two-week ceasefire deal announced the next day, Pope Leo asked the world to join him in "this moment of delicate diplomacy with prayer."

"I welcome with satisfaction − and as a sign of living hope − the announcement of an immediate two-week truce," the pope wrote on X. "Only by returning to negotiations can the war come to an end."

During a prayer service at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican Saturday, April 11, the pope called out the "delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive."

"Enough of the idolatry of self and money!" the pope said. "Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life."

What did Donald Trump write about Pope Leo on Truth Social?

The president took to social media Sunday to call the pope "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy."

In a lengthy Truth Social post dedicated to the pope, Trump praised the religious figure's brother Louis for being "all MAGA," criticized the Catholic Church's actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and condemned the pope's criticisms of the United State's foreign policy.

Trump also claimed responsibility for the pope's election, saying, "If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican."

"He wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump," the president wrote.

Trump targets Pope Leo's meeting with Obama adviser

Trump also appeared to take issue with a recent closed-door meeting between the pope and Democratic strategist David Axelrod.

Axelrod served as a senior adviser to former President Barack Obama, stoking speculation among many about a potential meeting between the pontiff and 44th president.

In his Truth Social post, Trump wrote, "Unfortunately, Leo’s Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons, does not sit well with me, nor does the fact that he meets with Obama Sympathizers like David Axelrod."

Trump labeled Axelrod "a LOSER from the Left, who is one of those who wanted churchgoers and clerics to be arrested," and continued to say the pope should "focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician."

Has Pope Leo responded to Trump's Truth Social post?

The pope addressed Trump's comments Sunday as he spoke to reporters on a flight from Rome to Algeria.

"I have no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do," he said. "I do not look at my role as being political, a politician. I don’t want to get into a debate with him. I don’t think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing."

When asked for his thoughts on the president's Truth Social comments, the pontiff said: "It’s ironic – the name of the site itself. Say no more."

CONTRIBUTING: Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, Terry Collins and Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY