United States’ President Donald Trump says he will not apologise to Pope Leo XIV following his statement berating the pontiff as “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” amid war with Iran.

Mr Trump’s refusal came hours after Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota berated the president for attacking the pontiff on his social media over his comment criticising Mr Trump’s ongoing attacks on Iran.

“I would warmly recommend that serious Catholics within the Trump administration—Secretary Rubio, Vice President Vance, Ambassador Brian Burch, and others—might meet with Vatican officials so that a real dialogue can take place. This is far preferable to the statements on social media.

“No President in my lifetime has shown a greater dedication to defending our first liberty. All that said, I think the President owes the Pope an apology,” Mr Baron said.

When asked about whether he would apologise for his attack on the pope on Monday, Mr Trump responded, “No. There’s nothing to apologise for. He’s wrong”.

He further justified his attacks on the Middle-Eastern country, insisting the country would never be allowed to pursue its nuclear weapons.

He added, “Pope Leo said things that are wrong. He was very much against what I’m doing with regard to Iran, and you cannot have a nuclear Iran.”

Last week, the Pope rebuked Mr Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilisation, calling it “truly unacceptable”.

On Sunday, the pontiff implored leaders to end ongoing bloodshed, condemning what he described as a “delusion of omnipotence”.