Trump Criticizes Pope Leo XIV Over Iran Nuclear Stance
President Trump accuses Pope Leo XIV of endangering Catholics by allegedly supporting Iran's nuclear ambitions, ahead of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's Vatican visit.
President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Pope Leo XIV, accusing the pontiff of "endangering a lot of Catholics" by allegedly supporting Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. Speaking on a conservative radio program, Trump stated, "I think he's endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people."
Pope Leo XIV has not advocated for Iran to possess nuclear weapons. He has consistently called for peace and dialogue in the Middle East, opposing military interventions and emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions.
These remarks come ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's scheduled meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. The meeting aims to address the recent tensions between the U.S. administration and the Vatican, particularly concerning Middle East policies.
The relationship between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV has been strained, with previous disagreements over issues such as immigration and military interventions. The upcoming discussions between Secretary Rubio and the pontiff are expected to focus on finding common ground and improving diplomatic relations.