Trending Now - Trump's Criticism of Pope Leo Could Hinder Rubio's Vatican Visit

WHO:

[AP] - President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV.

[AP] - Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to visit the Vatican.

[AP] - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is a long-time ally of Trump.

[AP] - Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani responded to Trump's comments.

WHAT:

AP - Trump stated, “The pope would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” during an interview with Hugh Hewitt.

AP - Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the Catholic Church “for years has spoken out against all nuclear weapons.”

AP - Pope Leo XIV called for governments to use funds for humanitarian issues and hunger instead of weapons.

AP - Rubio stated, “I cannot understand why anyone would think that it’s a good idea for Iran to ever have a nuclear weapon.”

AP - Tajani stated that Trump's comments were “neither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace.”

AP - Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV on social media last month, claiming the pope was “soft on crime and terrorism” regarding immigration policies and the Iran war.

AP - Trump posted a social media image likening himself to Jesus Christ, which he then deleted after backlash.

AP - Trump stated, “I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people,” regarding Pope Leo XIV's comments.

AP - Rubio is expected to meet with Meloni and Tajani on Friday.

AP - Tajani reaffirmed his support for Pope Leo, stating, “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.”

AP - Trump stated, “The pope would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” during an interview with Hugh Hewitt.

AP - Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the Catholic Church “for years has spoken out against all nuclear weapons.”

AP - Pope Leo XIV called for governments to use funds for humanitarian issues and hunger instead of weapons.

AP - Rubio stated, “I cannot understand why anyone would think that it’s a good idea for Iran to ever have a nuclear weapon.”

AP - Tajani stated that Trump's comments were “neither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace.”

AP - Trump stated, “The pope would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” during an interview with Hugh Hewitt.

AP - Pope Leo XIV responded to Trump’s criticism by asserting, “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.”

AP - Rubio stated, “I cannot understand why anyone would think that it’s a good idea for Iran to ever have a nuclear weapon.”

AP - Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV on social media last month, claiming the pope was “soft on crime and terrorism” regarding immigration policies and the Iran war.

AP - Trump posted a social media image likening himself to Jesus Christ, which he then deleted after backlash.

AP - Trump stated, “The pope would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” during an interview with Hugh Hewitt.

AP - Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the Catholic Church “for years has spoken out against all nuclear weapons.”

AP - Pope Leo XIV called for governments to use funds for humanitarian issues and hunger instead of weapons.

AP - Rubio said Trump’s criticisms stem from his opposition to Iran potentially obtaining a nuclear weapon.

AP - Rubio is expected to meet with Pope Leo XIV on Thursday.

AP - Tajani stated that Trump's comments were “neither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace.”

AP - Trump stated, “The pope would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” during an interview with Hugh Hewitt.

AP - Pope Leo XIV responded to Trump’s criticism by asserting, “The mission of the church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace.”

AP - Trump stated, “I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people,” regarding Pope Leo XIV's comments.

AP - Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the Catholic Church “for years has spoken out against all nuclear weapons.”

AP - Pope Leo XIV called for governments to use funds for humanitarian issues and hunger instead of weapons.

[AP] - Trump renewed his criticism of Pope Leo XIV, claiming the pope is helping Iran and making the world less safe.

[AP] - Trump stated, “The pope would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”

[AP] - Rubio said Trump’s criticisms stem from his opposition to Iran potentially obtaining a nuclear weapon.

[AP] - Rubio is expected to meet with Pope Leo XIV on Thursday.

[AP] - Tajani stated that Trump's comments were “neither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace.”

WHERE:

AP - Rubio is expected to meet with Meloni and Tajani on Friday.

AP - The Vatican is the location of Rubio's planned visit.

AP - Trump made his comments during an interview in Washington.

AP - Pope Leo XIV spoke to journalists in Castel Gandolfo before returning to the Vatican.

AP - Rubio is expected to meet with Meloni and Tajani on Friday.

AP - The Vatican is the location of Rubio's planned visit.

AP - Rubio is expected to meet with Meloni and Tajani on Friday.

[AP] - The Vatican is the location of Rubio's planned visit.

[AP] - Trump made his comments during an interview in Washington.

[AP] - Pope Leo XIV spoke to journalists in Castel Gandolfo before returning to the Vatican.

WHEN:

AP - Rubio's visit to the Vatican is scheduled for Thursday.

AP - Rubio is expected to meet with Meloni and Tajani on Friday.

AP - Pope Leo XIV spoke to reporters on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

AP - Rubio's visit to the Vatican is scheduled for Thursday.

AP - Rubio is expected to meet with Meloni and Tajani on Friday.

AP - Rubio's visit to the Vatican is scheduled for Thursday.

AP - Rubio is expected to meet with Meloni and Tajani on Friday.

[AP] - Rubio's visit to the Vatican is scheduled for Thursday.

[AP] - Trump made his comments in an interview on Monday.

[AP] - Pope Leo XIV spoke to reporters on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

WHY:

AP - Trump’s dispute with the pope has domestic political implications in the U.S. with midterm congressional elections approaching.

AP - Trump believes the pope's comments on immigration and Iran are endangering many people, including Catholics.

AP - Rubio emphasized the need for the world to oppose Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon, which he believes could threaten millions.

AP - Trump’s dispute with the pope has domestic political implications in the U.S. with midterm congressional elections approaching.

AP - Tajani stated that Trump’s comments were “neither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace.”

[AP] - Trump believes the pope's comments on immigration and Iran are endangering many people, including Catholics.

[AP] - Rubio emphasized the need for the world to oppose Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon, which he believes could threaten millions.

HOW:

AP - Trump criticized the pope's stance on nuclear weapons and immigration through social media and interviews.

AP - Pope Leo XIV responded to Trump's criticisms by asserting that the Church has long opposed nuclear weapons and advocates for peace and dialogue.

AP - Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV on social media last month, claiming the pope was “soft on crime and terrorism” regarding immigration policies and the Iran war.

[AP] - Trump criticized the pope's stance on nuclear weapons and immigration through social media and interviews.

[AP] - Pope Leo XIV responded to Trump's criticisms by asserting that the Church has long opposed nuclear weapons and advocates for peace and dialogue.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 23:13 UTC)

In a recent interview, Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV for his stance on nuclear weapons, stating, “The pope would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” In response, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the Church's long-standing opposition to nuclear arms and called for governments to prioritize humanitarian issues over weaponry. Meanwhile, Rubio is set to visit the Vatican on Thursday to discuss these pressing concerns with Meloni and Tajani, who reaffirmed their support for the pope's message of peace and dialogue.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 19:23 UTC)

In a recent interview, Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV, suggesting that the pontiff is more concerned about Iran's nuclear ambitions than addressing the issue of nuclear weapons overall. The pope, however, has long condemned nuclear arms and is calling for governments to prioritize humanitarian efforts over military spending. Meanwhile, Rubio, who is scheduled to visit the Vatican on Thursday, expressed confusion over anyone supporting Iran's nuclear capabilities and described Trump's remarks as unhelpful to peace efforts.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 17:25 UTC)

Trump recently criticized Pope Leo XIV during an interview, suggesting that the pope is more focused on Iran's nuclear ambitions than pressing issues at home. In response, the pope emphasized the church's mission to promote peace and truth, while Rubio expressed confusion over why anyone would support Iran having a nuclear weapon. This ongoing dispute between Trump and the pope could have significant political implications as midterm congressional elections draw near.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 15:43 UTC)

In a recent interview, Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV, suggesting that the pontiff would rather discuss Iran's nuclear ambitions than address pressing issues. The pope, however, has long been an advocate against nuclear weapons and is urging governments to prioritize humanitarian efforts over military spending. Rubio, who is set to meet with the pope on Thursday, indicated that Trump's remarks are rooted in his concerns about Iran potentially acquiring a nuclear weapon, while Tajani called Trump's comments “neither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace.”

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 11:33 UTC)

In a recent interview with Hugh Hewitt, Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV, stating that the pope would rather discuss Iran's nuclear ambitions than pressing issues like crime and terrorism. In response, Pope Leo emphasized the church's mission to preach peace and the Gospel, while Italian politician Tajani expressed his unwavering support for the pope's commitment to dialogue and human rights. This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between Trump and the Vatican over critical global issues.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 09:43 UTC)

Trump expressed concern about Pope Leo XIV's remarks, stating, “I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people.” In response, the Pope reiterated the Catholic Church's long-standing opposition to nuclear weapons and urged governments to prioritize humanitarian issues and hunger over military spending. Meanwhile, Tajani criticized Trump's comments as “neither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace,” and Rubio is set to meet with Meloni and Tajani on Friday.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 01:28 UTC)

President Trump has renewed his criticism of Pope Leo XIV, claiming the pope is aiding Iran and making the world less safe, stating that the pope would rather discuss the acceptability of Iran having a nuclear weapon. In response, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called Trump's comments “neither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to meet with the pope at the Vatican on Thursday to address these tensions. Rubio emphasized the importance of opposing Iran's potential nuclear capabilities, which he believes pose a threat to millions, echoing Trump's concerns about the pope's stance on immigration and nuclear weapons.