Update
US President Donald Trump has once again lashed out at Pope Leo XIV. In an interview with the Christian news channel Salem News Channel, he accused the Pope of “endangering many Catholics” because “he thinks it’s fine that Iran has a nuclear weapon.”
Koen Van De Sype
Journalist at HLN
“I don’t think that’s a good thing,” Trump added.
Pope Leo said in response that he was “not afraid.” “I will continue to speak out loud and clear against war,” you can hear him say here:
A few days later, during a speech in Cameroon, he also blasted world leaders who “misuse religious language to justify war,” which again appeared to be criticism of President Trump. You can see that here:
The Pope, meanwhile, responding to Trump’s new verbal attack, said he hopes to spread the Christian message by talking about peace, but that people are free to criticize him.
“The mission of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel, to preach peace,” the Pope said, according to Reuters news agency. “If anyone wants to criticize me for preaching the Gospel, I simply hope that I will be listened to because of the value of God’s words.”
Rubio
In two days, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Italy and the Vatican to iron out previous wrinkles.
Trump’s comments also led to disagreement with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, although an ally of his. She called the criticism of the pope “unacceptable”, after which the American president also lashed out at her.
