Edith Hejberg
The pontiff said he hoped people would listen to him because of “the value of God’s word”.
Pope Leo has rejected claims that he supports nuclear weapons, responding directly to fresh criticism from Donald Trump over the war involving Iran. The pope said the Catholic church has consistently opposed nuclear arms and accused critics of twisting his words.
Speaking to journalists near Rome, Leo stressed that the church’s role is to promote peace and preach the gospel, not inflame political tensions. His comments came after Trump accused him of “endangering a lot of Catholics” through his position on the conflict.
“The church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons”
Leo firmly defended the Vatican’s stance during an impromptu conversation with reporters after leaving Castel Gandolfo, the papal retreat outside Rome.
“If anyone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the gospel, let them do so with the truth,” the pope said. He added that the church has opposed nuclear weapons “for years” and insisted there was “no doubt about that”.
The pontiff also said he hoped people would listen to him because of “the value of God’s word”.
Trump launches another attack
Earlier that same day, Trump criticised Leo during an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.
“The pope would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump claimed. “I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people.”
Trump also suggested that Leo believed it was “just fine” for Iran to possess nuclear weapons, despite the Vatican’s repeated opposition to nuclear arms.
A relationship growing more hostile
The clash is the latest in a long-running feud between Trump and the Chicago-born pope.
Back in April, Trump attacked Leo after the pontiff criticised the war involving Iran. The US president called him “weak on crime” and “terrible on foreign policy”.
Trump even claimed Leo had only become pope because Trump himself was president at the time.
The AI image that caused outrage
The tensions escalated further when Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself portrayed as a Christ-like figure.
The image sparked criticism online and added to concerns about the increasingly personal nature of the conflict between the White House and the Vatican.
Trump later deleted the post, but the incident deepened the sense of hostility surrounding the dispute.
Why Pope Leo decided to speak out
According to Vatican correspondent Andrea Vreede, Leo had not planned to address reporters this week.
“We were told yesterday that there would be no papal chat,” she explained. “But there was, because he thought it was necessary and it was necessary.”
Vreede said the pope likely felt compelled to respond publicly after Trump’s latest remarks pushed tensions to a new level.
“Trump has made it personal”
Vreede said the situation has become unusually intense because Trump is targeting Leo directly rather than criticising Vatican policy more broadly.
“He has made it personal,” she said.
She compared the language being used to historical power struggles between medieval popes and emperors, saying the rhetoric now feels highly confrontational and deeply symbolic.
Marco Rubio heads to the Vatican
Attention is now turning to a high-profile meeting between Pope Leo and US secretary of state Marco Rubio at the Vatican.
The pair are expected to meet privately on Thursday in an effort to ease tensions between the Trump administration and the Holy See.
It will be the first known private audience between Leo and a senior Trump cabinet member since Rubio and vice-president JD Vance attended events following the pope’s inauguration last year.
Expectations of a “frank” discussion
US ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch has already warned that the conversation between Rubio and Leo is likely to be “frank”.
Rubio has tried to downplay the growing divide, admitting there had “obviously” been tensions but insisting there was still “a lot to talk about with the Vatican”.
Diplomats on both sides appear eager to avoid a complete breakdown in relations.
Rubio may have political motives
Some Vatican observers believe Rubio’s visit could also have domestic political significance.
Andrea Vreede suggested Rubio wants to keep communication channels open with the Vatican while building his own profile ahead of the 2028 US presidential election.
“For Leo, it’s important to have a photo moment with Rubio,” she said, while noting that the private talks themselves are unlikely to be pleasant.
Giorgia Meloni also drawn into the dispute
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has also become caught up in the growing political fallout.
Trump reportedly criticised her government after she pushed back against his comments about Pope Leo.
The US president was said to be angry over Italy’s criticism of strikes involving Iran and even threatened to withdraw US troops from Italy.
A rivalry inside Trump’s orbit?
Vreede believes Trump’s latest outburst may also reflect tensions within his own political circle.
She suggested Trump could be irritated by Rubio’s more diplomatic approach toward the Vatican.
“Trump believes in rivalry, in winning,” she said. “Perhaps he’s trying to interfere with Rubio because Rubio is being a bit too diplomatic.”
The result is a conflict that now stretches beyond foreign policy and into personal rivalries, religion and future presidential ambitions.
