Pope Leo XIV has issued a stark warning that the alliance between Europe and the United States faces unprecedented threat from Donald Trump’s policies. The religious leader’s intervention comes as Trump pressures Ukraine on territorial concessions while attacking European immigration policies.
Trump’s push for a Ukraine peace settlement includes demands that President Zelenskyy accept land transfers to Russia within days. American diplomatic efforts have focused on achieving rapid agreement, with Trump publicly characterizing Russia as holding military advantages. The vague nature of proposed US security commitments in exchange for territorial losses has raised questions about Ukrainian sovereignty and the value of American security promises.
The president’s characterization of Europe employed inflammatory rhetoric about immigration and demographic change. Trump claimed that European nations are “destroying themselves” through immigration policies, using explicitly racial framing about populations from Africa and the Middle East. His description of major cities as having become “much different” focused on increasing diversity, which he consistently portrayed negatively.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan again found himself targeted by Trump’s personal attacks, with the president using exceptionally harsh language. Trump’s criticism of London centered on demographic shifts and Khan’s identity as the city’s first Muslim mayor. Khan responded by characterizing Trump’s focus as obsessive while defending London’s success and diversity.
Pope Leo XIV stated that what he had read would “make a huge change in what was for many, many years a true alliance between Europe and the United States.” He added that Trump’s comments suggest an effort to “break apart what I think needs to be an alliance today and in the future.” The Pope’s warning carries significant moral authority, particularly in Catholic-majority European nations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and EU officials have echoed concerns about the alliance, with European leaders accelerating discussions about strategic autonomy and independent security capabilities.
