US President Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of Pope Leo XIV, claiming the pontiff is “putting many Catholics in danger” with his comments about the war with Iran.
“The Pope would rather talk about the fact that there is no problem in Iran,” Trump said in an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, which aired this Monday (5).
“I don’t think that’s very good,” Trump said. “I think he’s putting a lot of Catholics and a lot of other people in danger. But I suppose, if it’s up to the pope, he thinks it’s perfectly normal for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” he added.
Leo XIV never said that, but he repeatedly expressed his opposition to the war against the country and the subsequent escalation of the conflict in Lebanon, while advocating dialogue.
Following Trump’s latest statements, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that “attacks against the Holy Father […] are not acceptable or contribute to the cause of peace.” He did not directly refer to Trump’s interview.
Gli attacchi nei confrontationi of the Holy Father, capo and guida spirituale of the Catholic Church, are neither divisible nor useful to the cause of peace. Ribadisco o sostegno ad ogni azione e parola do Papa Leone, these are testimonies in favor of dialogue, of…
— Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani)
“I reiterate my support for every action and word of Pope Leo; his actions are testimony in favor of dialogue, the value of human life and freedom”, published Tajani in X.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin also reacted, saying the pontiff “has already responded.”
“I wouldn’t add anything. He gave a very Christian response, so to speak, saying that he is doing what his role requires, which is to preach peace,” he said, according to Italian public broadcaster RAI.
The first American pope had already declared that it was “not in my interest” to debate Trump about the war, after reiterating his call for peace in the Middle East.
The latest disagreement comes just two days before one and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.
