Pope Leo XIV appeared to address President Donald Trump’s recent claim that he’s “endangering a lot of Catholics” as their feud continues.
“The mission of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel, to preach peace,” Leo, 70, said while speaking in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on Wednesday, May 6. “If someone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully.”
Leo did not mention Trump, 79, by name, but added: “For years, the Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons, so there is no doubt on that point.”
Trump aired his grievances with Leo during an interview on Sunday, May 3, while discussing the ongoing conflict in Iran.
“Well, the Pope would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said at the time. “I don’t think that’s very good.”
Trump added, “I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people, but I guess, if it’s up to the Pope. He thinks it’s just fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump has been at odds with Leo in recent weeks, clashing over several policies including the war in Iran. The president took to his Truth Social account on April 12, slamming the pontiff in a lengthy post.
“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump wrote. “He talks about ‘fear’ of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian Organizations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services, even when going outside, and being ten and even twenty feet apart.”
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He added, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States and, even worse, emptying their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our Country.”
Trump also noted that he doesn’t want a pope who “criticizes” him.
“I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History,” he continued, noting that Leo should be “thankful” for his position as the pope.
Leo responded to Trump’s message on April 13.
“I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do,” he said.
