A public clash between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV—sparked by the pope's criticism of U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran—has brought U.S.-Vatican relations to their lowest point since formal diplomatic ties were established in 1984, according to Vatican officials.

Former U.S. diplomats say the rift is notable given the Vatican's longstanding role as a key American partner in humanitarian and foreign policy efforts, though both sides are expected to seek continued collaboration on shared priorities.

“It’s extraordinary,” says Margaret Susan Thompson, professor of history and political science, of the administration’s rhetoric toward the pope. “To have [Vance] speak out and say, in effect, the pope should mind his own business, and the pope should learn Catholic doctrine, and other members of the administration saying things like, the pope should read the Bible—these are kind of odd statements.”

Read more in the Washington Post article, “The Vatican has always been political.”