Italy responds after Trump renews criticism of Pope Leo over Iran war ๐จ
US President Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of Pope Leo XIV, claiming the pontiff is โendangering a lot of Catholicsโ as a result of his comments on the Iran war.
โThe Pope would rather talk about the fact that itโs okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,โ Trump said in an interview with conservative radio talkshow host Hugh Hewitt aired Monday.
โI donโt think thatโs very good,โ Trump said. โI think heโs endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people. But I guess if itโs up to the Pope, he thinks itโs just fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.โ
Leo has never said that Iran should have nuclear weapons, but has repeatedly expressed his opposition to the war on the country and the subsequent escalation of the conflict in Lebanon while calling for dialogue.
Following Trumpโs latest comments, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said โattacks against the Holy Fatherโ are โneither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace.โ He did not directly refer to Trumpโs interview.
โI reiterate my support for every action and word of Pope Leo; his are testimonies in favor of dialogue, the value of human life and freedom,โ Tajani posted on X.
The Vaticanโs Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin also reacted, saying the pontiff โhas already responded. I wouldnโt add anything. He gave a very Christian response, so to speak, saying that he is doing what his role requires, which is to preach peace,โ according to Italian national broadcaster RAI.
The first American pope has previously said โitโs not in my interestโ to debate Trump about the war after reiterating his call for peace in the Middle East.
The latest spat comes just two days ahead of an expected meeting between Leo and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vaticanโs Apostolic Palace.
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