WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has launched fresh attacks against Pope Leo XIV, creating potential obstacles for Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s diplomatic mission to the Vatican scheduled for this week.
During a Monday conversation with conservative host Hugh Hewitt, Trump accused the nation’s first American-born pope of supporting Iran and claimed his statements about treating immigrants with dignity are making the world more dangerous.
“The pope would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump stated during the Monday interview. “And I don’t think that’s very good. I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people.”
However, Pope Leo XIV has never advocated for Iran acquiring nuclear capabilities. Instead, he has promoted peaceful dialogue, condemned potential military action against Iran, and specifically criticized Trump’s threats targeting civilian populations. The pontiff has consistently emphasized that his positions reflect scripture and Catholic doctrine rather than political opposition to Trump.
Trump’s renewed attacks could create additional challenges for Rubio during his Thursday meeting with the pope. The Secretary of State, who frequently finds himself explaining or softening Trump’s controversial statements regarding Europe, NATO, and Middle Eastern affairs, now faces a diplomatic issue with significant domestic political ramifications as midterm elections approach.
According to State Department officials on Monday, Rubio, a devout Catholic who will have made at least three visits to Italy or Vatican City in the past year following this trip, is scheduled to travel to Rome and Vatican City Thursday and Friday.
Last month, Trump attacked Leo XIV through social media posts, calling the pope weak on crime and terrorism due to his criticism of the administration’s immigration enforcement and deportation practices, as well as the Iran conflict. The pope responded by stating that God does not hear the prayers of those who pursue warfare.
Following that exchange, Trump shared a social media image comparing himself to Jesus Christ, which he later removed after facing criticism. He has declined to offer an apology to Leo XIV and attempted to dismiss the controversial post by claiming he believed the image depicted him as a physician.
The diplomatic friction has affected Italian politics as well, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, traditionally a Trump supporter whom Rubio is also expected to meet during his visit, expressing disapproval of Trump’s papal criticism.
In response, Trump has criticized Meloni as his frustration with NATO partners grows over what he perceives as insufficient backing for the Iran conflict — tensions that have recently led to Pentagon plans to withdraw thousands of American troops from Germany in the coming months.
