US President Donald Trump on April 16 downplayed his recent public criticism of Pope Leo XIV, saying he had “nothing against the Pope” while continuing to falsely suggest that Leo wants Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
Speaking to the press on April 16, Trump was asked why he was “fighting with the Pope.” Trump responded that he himself “has to do what’s right.”
“It’s very simple, I have nothing against the Pope,” Trump said. “…I’m not fighting with him. The Pope made a statement, he says Iran can have a nuclear weapon. I say Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
The president described Leo as “weak on crime” and “weak on nuclear weapons” in an April 12 social media post, while suggesting that the Pope “thinks it’s OK for Iran to have nuclear weapons.”
Leo has repeatedly called for peace in recent weeks, criticizing the US-led war against Iran, but it is unclear why Trump has repeatedly claimed that Leo has advocated nuclear weapons in Iran.
The Pope has spoken out clearly against global nuclear weapons expansion in recent days.
‘I want him to preach the gospel’
Asked at an April 16 press conference about the Pope’s responsibility to preach the Gospel, the President responded: “I want him to preach the Gospel.”
“I’m all about the gospel,” Trump told reporters. “But I also know that you can’t let (Iran) have a nuclear weapon. If they did, they would use it, and I think they would use it immediately, and they would kill many millions of people.”
He said, “As President of the United States, I cannot allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons.” “And the story is: They won’t have (it). They’ve already agreed not to get (it). That’s good news. And I think the Pope will be very happy.”
Asked by a reporter if he would meet with the Pope “to resolve your differences,” Trump said: “I don’t think that’s necessary.”
During a press conference at the White House on Monday, Trump claimed that Iranian officials had approached him about a peace deal. “They want to compromise very badly,” the president said.
Earlier peace talks in Islamabad led by Vice President JD Vance collapsed last weekend when Iran refused to meet US demands to end its nuclear program.
Trump’s support among Catholics declined significantly after the start of the Iran War, with bipartisan polling showing that 48% of Catholic voters approve of the job Trump is doing as president and 52% disapprove. The president won 55% of the Catholic vote in the 2024 election.
The poll found that most Catholics disapprove of Trump’s actions in Iran and the use of military force against the country but still favor some American influence in the region.
