Donald Trump has reignited his feud with Pope Leo XIV with what Italian officials have called 'unacceptable' remarks about nuclear weapons. The controversy comes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepares to make a diplomatic visit to the Vatican in a bid to mend relations with the Holy See.
Trump's allegations against the Pope
In an interview Tuesday, Trump again accused Leo of being 'OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.' However, the Pope has said no such thing, and Catholic Church teaching states that the mere possession of nuclear weapons is 'immoral.' Trump claimed the Pope's rhetoric was 'endangering a lot of Catholics, and a lot of people.'
Pope Leo's response
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Pope Leo hit back at the claims, stating that the Catholic Church 'for years has spoken out against all nuclear weapons, so there is no doubt there.' He doubled down on his insistence that his call for peace and dialogue in the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran is Biblically inspired. 'I've spoken from the first moment of being elected, and we're near the anniversary: I said "Peace be with you,"' Leo said as he left his country house in Castel Gandolfo. 'The mission of the church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace. If someone wants to criticize me for announcing the Gospel, let him do it with the truth.'
Italy defends the Pope
Italy defended the Pope and his call for peace and dialogue in the Iran war. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a social media post Thursday that Trump's attacks 'are neither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace.' He added: 'I reaffirm my support for every action and word of Pope Leo; his words are a testament to dialogue, the value of human life, and freedom. This is a vision shared by our government, which is committed through diplomacy to ensuring stability and peace in all areas where conflicts exist.'
Impact on Rubio's diplomatic visit
Trump's latest comments may make Rubio's task more difficult when he sees the pontiff on Thursday. Rubio, a practicing Catholic who after this trip will have visited Italy or the Vatican at least three times in the past year, is due to meet with Leo on Thursday and is expected to see Tajani and Premier Giorgia Meloni on Friday. The State Department confirmed the travel plans on Monday.
Previous tensions
Trump lashed out at Leo on social media last month, saying the pope was soft on crime and terrorism for comments about the administration's immigration policies and deportations as well as the Iran war. Leo then said God doesn't listen to the prayers of those who wage war. Later, Trump posted a social media image likening himself to Jesus Christ, which he then deleted after backlash. He has refused to apologize to Leo and has sought to explain away the post by saying he thought the image was of him as a doctor.
Political implications
The tension has spilled over into Italian politics, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a long-time Trump ally whom Rubio is also expected to meet this week, taking exception to Trump's comments about the pope. Trump in return criticised her as his ire against NATO allies expands over what he sees as a lack of support for the Iran war — most recently with the Pentagon planning to pull thousands of troops out of Germany in the coming months.
