April 17, 2026 | 11:00 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - United States President Donald Trump said he has no feud with Pope Leo, but insisted on his right to disagree with the first American leader of the Catholic Church.
Trump told reporters at the White House ahead of his departure for Las Vegas on Thursday local time that Pope Leo wanted Iran to have nuclear weapons, even though the Pope has never said so.
"The Pope can say what he wants, and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree. I think that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” the US President said, as quoted from Anadolu.
When asked about the US bishops' defense of the Pope, Trump said he supported the Pope "preaching the Gospel," but he shouldn't have to talk about Iran.
"I want him to preach the gospel. I'm all about the gospel. But I also know that you cannot let a certain country, which is a very mean-spirited country, have a nuclear weapon," Trump said.
"The pope could disagree with me on that, but certainly we're allowed to have that," he added.
The US president has stepped up his criticism of Pope Leo, who publicly condemned the US-Israeli attack on Iran as "madness of war." The Pope also expressed concern over the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.
Trump accused the Catholic Church leader of being "weak" on foreign policy and controversially claimed to have played a role in his appointment as pope. This action sparked criticism from Christian groups in the US.
Separately, the US president also increased pressure on Italy after he suggested that Washington could review its defense cooperation commitments with the country.
Read: Pope Leo: I Am Not Afraid of Trump Administration
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Pope Leo Excoriates 'Tyrants' Waging War Instead of Peace
1 hari lalu
Pope Leo XIV has admonished those waging war in the name of god and slammed "tyrants" destroying the world and its resources.
Iranian President Condemns Trump's Insult Towards Pope Leo XIV
3 hari lalu
President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, condemns the insult made by the President of the United States (US), Donald Trump, towards Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo: I Am Not Afraid of Trump Administration
3 hari lalu
Pope Leo XIV, when asked about Trump's outburst against him, says that he "will not shy away from announcing the message of the gospel."
Pope Leo Starts First Africa Tour
4 hari lalu
Africa is the fastest-growing region within the Catholic Church. Pope Leo is launching his first African tour with a visit to Algeria.
Trump Claims Pope Leo XIV Elected Because of Him
4 hari lalu
President Trump claims, 'I don't want a Pope who thinks Iran is allowed to have nuclear weapons.'
Today's Top 3 News: Rupiah Could Weaken to 20,000 per Dollar, Countries Allowed to Pass Through Strait of Hormuz
18 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Palm Sunday Mass: Pope Leo Condemns Using God to Justify War
18 hari lalu
Pope Leo has said God rejects the prayers of those who wage war and have "hands full of blood."
Pope Leo XIV: God Rejects Prayers of Leaders Who Wage War
19 hari lalu
Pope Leo XIV said God rejects the prayers of warwaging leaders with "hands full of blood," as the USIsrael war with Iran entered its second month.
Cuba Seeks Vatican's Help to Ease U.S. Oil Embargo
20 hari lalu
Havana has petitioned the Vatican to mediate between Cuba and the United States amid the worsening energy crisis on the island.
Pope Leo Calls for Middle East Ceasefire in Strongest Comments Yet
33 hari lalu
Pope Leo XIV has called on the leaders responsible for starting the war in Iran to stop fighting.
