US President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday, accusing the pontiff of undermining global security. The verbal clash comes just days before US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit the Vatican.
Speaking in an interview with conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt on Monday, Trump claimed the first American-born pope is aiding Iran. The president also criticized the pope's recent remarks regarding the treatment of immigrants.
“The pope would rather talk about the fact that it is OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, according to a report by France 24. “And I don’t think that’s very good. I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people.”
Pope Leo XIV responded to the attacks on Tuesday by reaffirming his commitment to his religious mission. The pontiff stated he remains open to public scrutiny while continuing to advocate for peace.
“The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace,” Leo said. “If someone wants to criticize me for preaching the Gospel... I hope simply to be listened to because of the value of God's words.”
Diplomatic tensions
The escalating dispute threatens to complicate Secretary of State Marco Rubio's upcoming diplomatic mission. Rubio is scheduled to travel to Rome and Vatican City this Thursday and Friday.
France 24 reported that Trump’s rhetoric could hinder Rubio's efforts to mend relations between the US and the Vatican. Rubio has frequently been tasked with tempering the administration's harsh language regarding NATO, Europe, and the Middle East.
While Trump alleged the pope supports nuclear proliferation, the Pope has not endorsed Iranian nuclear weapons. Instead, the pontiff has called for expanded peace talks and criticized US threats of mass civilian strikes.
Trump’s recent attacks on the pontiff follow similar social media posts from last month, where the president labeled the pope 'soft' on terrorism and crime. The State Department confirmed Rubio’s itinerary, noting the Secretary of State is a practicing Catholic who has visited the Vatican multiple times over the past year.
