US President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday. The outing could complicate a reconciliation visit that Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to make to the Vatican on Thursday. The sovereign pontiff responded with a message of peace.

Published on: 05/05/2026 - 9:18 p.m. Modified on: 05/05/2026 - 9:51 p.m.

The response was not long in coming. Pope Leo returned Donald Trump to his ropes on Tuesday, May 5, who had once again attacked him during an interview in the United States.

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“The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace,” America’s first pope said. “If anyone wants to criticize me for preaching the Gospel…I just hope to be listened to because of the value of God’s words.”

In an interview with conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt, the US president said the first US-born pontiff was helping Iran. “The pope would rather talk about whether it would be acceptable for Iran to have nuclear weapons,” Donald Trump said during the interview. "And I don't think that's very good. I think he endangers a lot of Catholics and a lot of people."

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The Pope has never said that Iran should acquire nuclear weapons. He called for more peace negotiations and criticized the war against Iran in general, as well as Trump's specific threats of massive strikes against civilians. The pontiff also stressed that he was speaking on behalf of biblical teachings and the Church, and not as a political rival of Trump.

Regardless, Donald Trump's latest comments could make Rubio's task difficult when he meets with the Pope on May 7. Marco Rubio is frequently called upon to temper or explain the president's virulent rhetoric regarding Europe, NATO and the Middle East. “This is a trip that we had planned before and obviously things happened,” he said Tuesday during a White House news conference. “There are many things to discuss with the Vatican,” added the Secretary of State, a practicing Catholic, referring in particular to freedom of religion.

Also read Angry American Catholics: what standoff between Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV?

This dispute with the pope could cost the president dearly as the mid-term legislative elections approach. Donald Trump had already taken Leo Leo XIV then declared that God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.

Subsequently, the American president published an image on social networks comparing him to Jesus Christ, before deleting it in the face of outcry. Donald Trump refused to apologize to the pope and tried to downplay the post by saying he thought the image depicted him as a doctor.

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In Italy, the head of government Giorgia Meloni, a long-time ally of Donald Trump, expressed her dissatisfaction during this episode. A conviction which in turn earned him criticism from the tenant of the White House.

The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, judged in a message published on social networks that they were “neither acceptable nor useful for the cause of peace”.

“I reaffirm my support for every action and every word of Pope Leo; his words are a testimony to dialogue, the value of human life and freedom. It is a vision shared by our government, committed through diplomacy to guarantee stability and peace in all regions where conflicts exist,” wrote Antonio Tajani. Marco Rubio is expected to meet Georgia Meloni and Antonio Tajani on Friday.

AP

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