PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Archbishop of Philadelphia Nelson Pérez is defending Pope Leo XIV following criticism from President Donald Trump.
In a statement, Perez called the first American pope a "gift for Catholics," and said both the pope and his message deserve respect and admiration.
He concluded by saying the Church of Philadelphia stands by the Holy Father as he continues to call and pray for world peace as he has done since the beginning of his pontificate.
Pérez's comments come after Trump criticized the Villanova grad in a post on Truth Social on Sunday.
The president said Pope Leo is "WEAK on crime, and terrible for foreign policy." Pope Leo has said he does not fear the Trump administration.