Maria Shriver is not afraid to say exactly how she feels about the friction between the White House and the Vatican.
The controversy follows a series of sharp criticisms aimed at Pope Leo XIV by President Donald Trump.
The president pointedly expressed dislike for the pope; however, the head of the Catholic Church remains undaunted by the unending criticism, declaring that he has “no fear” of Trump’s administration.
Maria Shriver Heavily Criticizes The President’s Outburst
Shriver has joined the chorus of voices condemning President Trump for his recent verbal assault on Pope Leo XIV. Following the president’s scathing posts on Truth Social, Shriver took to Instagram to express her deep disapproval of the administration’s behavior.
The 70-year-old journalist and author described the attacks as “dangerous” and “unhinged,” arguing that the American public deserves a leader who demonstrates composure and compassion.
“The job of President requires composure, compassion, and the ability not to react to anything and everything you do not like. We deserve better!” she wrote, per US Weekly.
She emphasized that the role of the president requires the ability to remain professional, rather than reacting aggressively to every perceived slight or disagreement.
The president’s original outburst targeted the 70-year-old pontiff, who made history in March 2025 as the first American to lead the Catholic Church. Trump labeled the religious leader “weak on crime” and criticized his approach to international relations.
Pope Leo Stays Calm Amid Donald Trump’s Insults
While the president unleashed direct criticism directed at the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church remains surprisingly unfazed by the attack. According to The Blast, Pope Leo XIV directly addressed the escalating tension, making it clear that his primary focus remains on his religious mission rather than political maneuvering.
“I have no fear of the Trump administration,” he said.
He reiterated that his advocacy for peace and his critiques of military action are rooted in the Gospel, not in personal animosity toward the American leader.
Despite Trump’s public preference for the Pope’s “MAGA-aligned” brother, Louis, Leo expressed no desire to enter a political debate, stating he simply felt sorry for the president’s perspective.
Maria Shriver Has Always Been Vocal About Her Criticism Of The President
The Pope’s quiet resolve to remain a moral authority despite the president’s attacks is a stark contrast to Shriver’s open criticism of the administration. The journalist previously slammed the president, likening his administration to “tyranny.”
In a personal essay published in “Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper” in January, the 70-year-old journalist reflected on the one-year anniversary of Trump’s second term, per The Blast.
Shriver expressed deep concern over what she described as “dizzying” and “scary” inconsistencies in the administration’s stance on public protest, noting that while the president encouraged demonstrations abroad, he actively discouraged them at home.
Shriver Also Condemned Trump’s Lack Of ‘Decency’
Shriver’s criticism of the president also goes as far back as 2025. She was among the most vocal critics after Trump issued remarks mocking the deaths of legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.
Instead of offering the traditional sympathy expected of a president, Trump used the tragic passing of the couple to criticize their long-standing opposition to his administration.
This lack of compassion sparked immediate outrage from Shriver, as reported by The Blast. She did not mince words in her response to the president’s comments, describing his behavior as “evil” and “absolutely disgusting” during a period of profound family grief.
“I try to rise above the noise all the time, but this individual has no human decency,” she wrote.
George Clooney Calls Out The President’s Misplaced Priorities
Shriver isn’t the only high-profile figure to openly oppose the president’s leadership. Hollywood actor George Clooney recently joined the list of global figures challenging the administration, advising the president to prioritize international stability over personal feuds.
The clash between the two began after Clooney and his family obtained French citizenship in 2025 and escalated when the actor accused the president of committing war crimes.
The president’s response to these allegations was a public jab at Clooney’s professional career, with the leader dismissing the actor’s movies as “awful,” per The Blast.
Clooney quickly pushed back, labeling the president’s comments as “infantile name-calling” that ignores the gravity of current global events. He pointed out that with families losing loved ones, children being killed, and the world economy on a knife-edge, the administration should be engaged in vigorous high-level debate rather than critiquing films.