The criticism of the pontiff’s stance on Iran highlighted what Vatican officials have described as an unprecedented low in relations with the United States.
May 5, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. EDT39 minutes ago
Pope Leo XIV talks to journalists outside Rome on Tuesday. (Gregorio Borgia/AP)
ROME — Ahead of a visit to Rome by Secretary of State Marco Rubio aimed partly at defusing tensions between the White House and the Vatican, President Donald Trump unleashed new criticism at Pope Leo XIV, suggesting the pontiff’s views on foreign policy are “endangering Catholics and a lot of people” and that he is “fine” with Iran having a nuclear weapon.
