Pope Leo Calls for Peace Amid Tensions with Trump

Pope Leo has responded to criticism from Donald Trump, saying his mission remains to preach the Gospel and promote peace, while accepting that people are free to disagree with him.

The exchange follows remarks by Trump suggesting that the Pope supports Iran having nuclear weapons—claims the pontiff has not made. However, Pope Leo has openly opposed the war involving the United States and Israel against Iran, a stance that has drawn criticism from Trump.

Speaking recently, the Pope emphasized his role as a spiritual leader. “The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel and peace,” he said, adding that he hopes people listen to his message based on its values.

The situation comes as Marco Rubio prepares to visit the Vatican for a two-day trip aimed at strengthening relations and discussing global issues, including tensions in the Middle East. Rubio dismissed claims that the visit is meant to resolve conflict between Trump and the Vatican, saying it had been planned earlier.

Despite the public disagreements, Brian Burch said there is no major rift between the two sides, noting that differences can be addressed through dialogue.

The disagreement has also involved Giorgia Meloni, who has criticised the war and supported the Pope’s call for peace.

Pope Leo has repeatedly spoken against conflict, stressing that solutions should come from a culture of peace rather than division. Trump, however, has continued to criticise the Pope, describing him as weak on certain issues and questioning his leadership.

The situation has further drawn in US Vice-President JD Vance, who defended Trump and suggested that the Vatican should focus on moral issues.

Despite the tensions, Vatican and US officials maintain that communication remains open, with both sides expected to engage in discussions during upcoming meetings.