Trump Accuses Pope Leo of Endangering Catholics as Rubio Heads to Vatican

Key facts

• Donald Trump accused Pope Leo of endangering Catholics by allegedly supporting Iran's nuclear ambitions.
• Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, visits Vatican on Thursday for a 'frank' meeting with the pope.
• Trump previously called the pope 'weak' and shared an AI image of himself as Jesus.
• Pope Leo has opposed the US-Israeli war on Iran and called for ceasefires.
• Brian Burch, US ambassador to the Holy See, denies a 'deep rift' between the US and Vatican.
• Trump also berated Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, a former ally, over her defense of the pope.
• Rubio denies his trip is intended to smooth over tensions with the Vatican.

Trump's Latest Attack on the Pope

President Donald Trump has launched a fresh verbal assault on Pope Leo, accusing the pontiff of 'endangering a lot of Catholics' by allegedly condoning Iran's nuclear weapons program. In an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Salem News, Trump claimed the pope 'thinks it's fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon' and that such a stance puts lives at risk. The pope has never stated support for Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. Instead, he has consistently opposed the US-Israeli war on Iran and called for ceasefires and dialogue in the escalating Middle East conflict. Trump's remarks come just two days before Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Catholic, is scheduled to meet with Pope Leo at the Apostolic Palace on Thursday morning.

Rubio's Vatican Visit: Fence-Mending or Planned Diplomacy?

Rubio's two-day visit to Italy and the Vatican, which coincides with the first anniversary of Pope Leo's papacy, was organized after Trump's previous broadside against the pope in April. At that time, Trump called Leo 'weak' and shared an AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like figure, later claiming it depicted him as a doctor. Rubio has denied that his trip is designed to 'smooth things over' between the president and the pontiff. 'It's a trip we had planned from before, and obviously we had some stuff that happened,' Rubio told reporters on Tuesday. 'There's a lot to talk about with the Vatican.' The State Department stated that Rubio would work to 'advance bilateral relations' with Italy and the Vatican and discuss the Middle East situation and mutual interests in the Western Hemisphere.

Ambassador Burch Downplays Rift

Brian Burch, the US ambassador to the Holy See, told reporters on Tuesday that he expects a 'frank' meeting between Rubio and Pope Leo. 'Nations have disagreements, and I think one of the ways that you work through those is through fraternity and authentic dialogue,' Burch said. He added that Rubio is coming 'in that spirit, to have a frank conversation about US policy, to engage in dialogue.' Burch rejected the notion of a 'deep rift' between the United States and the Vatican, saying that the meeting would allow both sides to 'better understand each other, and to work through, if there are differences, certainly to talk through that.' The ambassador's comments come as Trump's latest attack threatens to overshadow the diplomatic outreach.

Pope Leo Responds: 'Preach the Gospel, Preach Peace'

Pope Leo responded to Trump's criticisms on Tuesday, stating that he would continue to call for peace despite the attacks. 'The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace,' the pope said.e for preaching the Gospel... I hope simply to be listened to because of the value of God's words.' The pope's remarks underscore his commitment to advocating for non-violence and dialogue, even as Trump escalates his rhetoric. The president's accusation that the pope endangers Catholics by opposing the war on Iran has drawn sharp reactions from Catholic leaders and laypeople alike.

Fallout with Italy's Meloni

The dispute has also strained relations between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, previously one of his closest European allies. Meloni criticized Trump's remarks against Pope Leo and rebuked her own government for not supporting the strikes on Iran. In response, Trump threatened to withdraw US troops from Italy, a move that would have significant implications for NATO and regional security. Rubio's visit to Italy will include meetings with Italian counterparts, where he is expected to address these tensions. The secretary of state will also endeavor to patch up the relationship with Meloni, whose defense of the pope has placed her at odds with the Trump administration.

Wider Context: A Pattern of Confrontation

The current exchange is the latest in a series of confrontations between Trump and Pope Leo. In April, Trump lashed out after the pope condemned the US-Israeli war on Iran, calling him 'weak' and questioning his leadership. The president's use of an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure was widely criticized as inappropriate. Trump's accusation that the pope supports Iran's nuclear ambitions is baseless, as Leo has never made such a statement. The pope's opposition to the war is rooted in his broader call for peace and dialogue in the Middle East, a stance that has put him at odds with the Trump administration's hawkish policies. The timing of Rubio's visit, just days after Trump's latest attack, highlights the delicate balancing act the administration faces in managing its relationship with the Vatican.

Outlook: What Comes Next

Rubio's meeting with Pope Leo on Thursday will be closely watched for signs of a thaw or further friction. The secretary of state's denial that the trip is about smoothing over tensions suggests that the administration is keen to project normalcy, but the substance of the discussions may reveal deeper divisions. With the Middle East crisis continuing to escalate, and Trump's rhetoric showing no signs of abating, the Vatican visit may be only a temporary pause in a broader conflict between the White House and the Holy See. The outcome could have lasting implications for US-Vatican relations and for the role of the Catholic Church in global diplomacy.

The bottom line

• Trump's accusation that Pope Leo supports Iran's nuclear ambitions is false; the pope has consistently opposed the war and called for peace.
• Rubio's Vatican visit, planned before the latest flare-up, is intended to discuss bilateral relations and Middle East policy, not solely to mend ties.
• Ambassador Burch denies a 'deep rift' but acknowledges disagreements, framing the meeting as an opportunity for 'authentic dialogue.'
• The dispute has widened to include Italian PM Meloni, a former Trump ally, who defended the pope and faced threats of US troop withdrawal.
• Pope Leo remains committed to preaching peace despite criticism, signaling that the Church will not alter its stance on the Middle East conflict.
• The outcome of Rubio's meeting may determine whether US-Vatican relations stabilize or deteriorate further amid ongoing tensions.