President Donald Trump has intensified his public criticism of Pope Leo, accusing the pontiff of “endangering a lot of Catholics” over the Vatican’s opposition to the US-Israeli war with Iran and its calls for diplomacy instead of military escalation.
The latest remarks deepen a growing and unusually public rift between the White House and the Vatican just days before Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet the pope in Rome.
Speaking during an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump claimed the pope was effectively soft on Iran and accused him of tolerating the possibility of Tehran obtaining nuclear weapons.
“I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people,” Trump said. “But I guess if it’s up to the pope, he thinks it’s just fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
The pope has never advocated for Iran to possess nuclear weapons. Instead, Pope Leo has repeatedly called for ceasefires, negotiations, and de-escalation across the Middle East as fighting between the United States, Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah has continued to expand.
How the Rift Between Trump and Pope Leo Began
Tensions between Trump and the Vatican have been building for months, particularly after Pope Leo became increasingly outspoken against the widening regional conflict involving Iran and Lebanon.
The pope has repeatedly criticized the growing civilian toll of the war while urging global leaders to pursue diplomacy instead of continued military action.
Trump, meanwhile, has defended the US-Israeli campaign as necessary to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions and reopen critical shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.
The relationship deteriorated further after Trump publicly attacked the pope earlier this year, calling him weak and accusing him of undermining Western security interests.
The president also generated controversy after posting an AI-generated image depicting himself in a religious-style portrayal resembling Jesus before later deleting it.
Pope Leo did not directly respond to Trump personally but continued using public appearances to advocate for peace talks and humanitarian protections.
Rubio Heads to Vatican for High-Stakes Meeting
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is now expected to meet Pope Leo at the Vatican in what diplomats describe as an effort to reduce tensions and reopen dialogue between Washington and the Holy See.
Rubio, a Catholic, is scheduled to hold talks at the Apostolic Palace alongside Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
US Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch described the upcoming meeting as an opportunity for “frank conversation” rather than confrontation.
“Nations have disagreements,” Burch said, adding that the purpose of diplomacy is to work through those differences respectfully.
Rubio has publicly downplayed suggestions that his visit is solely intended to repair damage caused by Trump’s comments.
Still, the timing of the trip has placed renewed attention on the increasingly strained relationship between the Vatican and sections of the Trump administration.
The Vatican’s Position on the Iran War
Since the conflict escalated, Pope Leo has consistently framed the crisis as both a humanitarian and moral issue.
The Vatican has called for immediate ceasefires, warned about the dangers of regional escalation, and urged world leaders to prioritize negotiations over military retaliation.
The pope has also voiced concern about the broader instability spreading across Lebanon, Gaza, and the Gulf region as fighting involving Iran continues to affect global security and energy markets.
While the Vatican has criticized violence from multiple sides, Trump and several conservative allies have accused the pope of failing to fully acknowledge the threat posed by Tehran’s military and nuclear activities.
Vice President JD Vance recently added to the criticism by suggesting the Vatican should focus more narrowly on spiritual matters and avoid entering debates surrounding war strategy and geopolitics.
Italy Also Drawn Into the Dispute
The diplomatic tensions are not limited to the Vatican.
Rubio is also expected to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during the trip, following strain between Trump and the Italian government over the Iran conflict.
Meloni, once considered one of Trump’s closest European allies, criticized some of the president’s comments directed at Pope Leo and opposed aspects of the military escalation with Iran.
Trump reportedly responded by threatening to reconsider portions of the American military presence in Italy, though no formal policy changes have been announced.
The dispute has complicated relationships with several European allies already concerned about the expanding conflict in the Middle East.
A Rare Public Clash Between the White House and the Vatican
Direct political clashes between an American president and the pope are relatively uncommon, particularly when both leaders command strong support among conservative Catholic voters.
The dispute has created visible divisions within conservative political and religious circles, especially among American Catholics who remain split over Trump’s foreign policy and the Vatican’s stance on war and diplomacy.
Pope Leo, who recently marked the first anniversary of his papacy, has become increasingly vocal internationally after initially maintaining a relatively cautious public profile during his early months as pontiff.
For now, Vatican officials continue emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy, while Trump continues framing the Iran conflict as a national security issue requiring forceful action.
Featured image from: Edgar Beltrán, The Pillar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons