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Pope Leo responds to Trump's criticism with call for peace
Pope Leo addressed recent attacks by US President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to preaching the Gospel and advocating for peace while acknowledging the right to critique his positions.
Trump's claims about Pope's stance on Iran
Trump recently alleged that Pope Leo supports Iran's possession of nuclear weapons, a claim the Vatican has firmly denied. The US president has repeatedly targeted the Pope over his opposition to the US and Israel's military actions in the Middle East, sparking a public dispute.
During an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump stated that the Pope was "endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people" by allegedly endorsing Iran's nuclear ambitions. The Vatican has not made any statements supporting Iran's nuclear program.
Vatican-US relations under scrutiny ahead of Rubio's visit
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit the Vatican this week for a two-day trip aimed at strengthening bilateral ties with Italy and the Holy See. The State Department described the visit as an opportunity to discuss the Middle East situation and shared interests in the Western Hemisphere.
Rubio dismissed suggestions that his trip was intended to ease tensions between Trump and the Vatican, stating, "It's a trip we have planned from before, and obviously we had some stuff that happened." He added that there was "a lot to talk about with the Vatican."
Pope Leo reaffirms peace mission despite backlash
In a statement on Tuesday, Pope Leo reiterated his dedication to promoting peace, saying, "The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace. If someone wants to criticise me for preaching the Gospel... I hope simply to be listened to because of the value of God's words."
Last month, the Pope condemned the Middle East conflict, declaring, "As a pastor, I cannot be in favour of war." He urged efforts to seek solutions rooted in "a culture of peace and not from a place of hate and division."
US-Vatican tensions spill over into Italian politics
Trump's criticism of Pope Leo has also strained his relationship with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a former ally. Meloni, who has defended the Pope and opposed the war in the Middle East, is expected to meet with Rubio during his visit.
When asked about the meeting, Meloni responded, "I think so."
US Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch downplayed the tensions, telling reporters there was no "deep rift" between the US and the Vatican. "Nations have disagreements, and one of the ways you work through those is through fraternity and authentic dialogue," he said, suggesting Rubio's visit could help bridge differences.
Trump's social media posts escalate controversy
Trump intensified his attacks on Pope Leo in a series of social media posts, calling him "WEAK on crime" and "terrible for Foreign Policy." He also claimed that the Pope was only elected because he was American and that his position was a strategic move to counter Trump's presidency.
"He wasn't on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald Trump. If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican."
Donald Trump, social media post
The controversy deepened when Trump shared an image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, which he later removed. When questioned about the post, Trump remarked that he thought it was "me as a doctor."
Vice-President Vance weighs in on dispute
Vice-President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism, defended Trump's stance, suggesting that the Vatican should "stick to matters of morality." His comments further highlighted the divide between the US administration and the Holy See.
