Trump levels new accusations against Pope Leo XIV

A scandal erupted during a discussion about the fate of imprisoned Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, when the host suggested asking Pope Leo XIV to address the issue. Trump abruptly launched into an attack on the pontiff.

"Well, the Pope would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon," the US President says, adding that "I don’t think that’s very good."

"I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people, but I guess, if it’s up to the Pope. He thinks it's just fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon," Trump continues.

Why is this untrue

Pope Leo XIV has never stated that Iran can have nuclear weapons. On the contrary, he has repeatedly and openly called on all countries to renounce nuclear weapons.

In June 2025, Leo XIV called for the creation of "a safer world, free from the nuclear threat," emphasizing that "no one should ever threaten the existence of another."

The tensions between Trump and Pope Leo XIV escalated due to the pontiff’s sharp opposition to the US-Israeli operation in Iran. The Pope, in particular, had previously called Trump’s threats to destroy the entire Iranian civilization absolutely unacceptable.

In response to criticism from the American President, Pope Leo XIV stated: "I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the church is here to do".