Pope Leo has firmly stated that he has never endorsed nuclear weapons and urged critics, particularly in light of recent comments from Donald Trump, to convey the truth. This assertion came after Trump accused the pope of “endangering a lot of Catholics” due to his position on the conflict with Iran.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday evening after departing from a retreat in Castel Gandolfo, situated near Rome, the first American-born pope remarked, “The church’s mission is to share the gospel and promote peace.” He is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican on Thursday to address the tensions that have arisen from Trump’s previous remarks.
The pope expressed a desire for integrity in political discourse, stating, “If anyone wishes to criticize me for sharing the gospel, they should do so truthfully: the church has consistently opposed nuclear weapons for many years, without question. My hope is to be heard because of the significance of God’s message.”
Earlier that day, Trump had commented on a conservative radio show hosted by Hugh Hewitt, saying, “The pope seems more focused on suggesting that it is acceptable for Iran to possess nuclear weapons, which I do not believe is a good stance.” He further claimed, “I think he’s putting many Catholics and others at risk, but it seems the pope thinks allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon is acceptable.”
In April, Trump had criticized Leo following the pope’s remarks regarding the war with Iran, labeling him as “weak on crime” and “poor on foreign policy.” Trump also claimed that Leo’s election as pope was a consequence of his own presidency and previously shared an AI-generated image depicting himself in a Christ-like manner, which he later removed.
As Leo approaches the one-year anniversary of his papacy on Friday, he typically visits Castel Gandolfo at the start of the week and occasionally engages with reporters. However, Trump’s recent comments prompted him to address the media this week when he had not initially planned to do so.
Andrea Vreede, a Vatican correspondent for the Dutch public broadcasting network NOS, noted, “We were informed yesterday that no papal briefing would occur, but it did, as he deemed it necessary.” Vreede added that the situation has escalated, as Trump has made his criticisms personal, drawing parallels to historical conflicts between Holy Roman emperors and popes.
The upcoming meeting with Rubio will mark the first private audience Leo has had with a member of Trump’s administration since the secretary of state and Vice President JD Vance visited the pope shortly after his inauguration last May. Brian Burch, the US ambassador to the Holy See, indicated that a “frank” discussion is anticipated, although Rubio has attempted to minimize the discord between the Trump administration and the Vatican, acknowledging some past issues while emphasizing the importance of dialogue.
On the same day, Rubio is also set to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who faced criticism from Trump in April after she commented on his remarks regarding the pope. Trump had reprimanded Meloni’s government for not backing military actions against Iran and hinted at withdrawing US troops from Italy as a consequence.
Vreede suggested that Rubio’s meeting with the pope might have a strategic angle, stating, “For Leo, having a photo opportunity with Rubio and then issuing a brief statement about their ongoing dialogue and shared commitment to world peace is crucial. While the private conversation may not be pleasant, Rubio needs to maintain diplomatic relations with the Vatican as he considers his own prospects for the presidential election in 2028.”
Vreede also speculated that Trump’s rivalry with Rubio could have sparked his latest comments, observing, “Trump thrives on competition and winning; perhaps he seeks to undermine Rubio’s diplomatic approach.”
