Arabic version: روبنيو يدافع عن تعليقات ترامب حول البابا قبل الاجتماع في الفاتيكان
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended President Donald Trump’s remarks regarding Pope Leo XIV, who Trump accused of endangering Catholics with his stance on the Iran war. Rubio stated that Trump’s comments had been mischaracterized, emphasizing that the president’s concerns are based on the potential threat Iran poses to regions with significant Catholic and Christian populations. He questioned the rationale behind allowing Iran to possess nuclear weapons.
According to Al Jazeera, Trump had criticized the pope during an interview with right-wing radio host Hugh Hewitt, suggesting that the pontiff was too lenient towards Tehran. Trump claimed, “I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people,” reflecting a broader concern over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The exchange comes ahead of Rubio’s scheduled meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday. U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, noted that the discussion is expected to be frank, highlighting ongoing tensions between Washington and the Catholic Church. Burch remarked that nations can resolve disagreements through dialogue, indicating the Secretary’s intention to address U.S. policy in the meeting.
Strains between Trump and Pope Leo began in March when the pontiff voiced opposition to the war in Iran, criticizing the use of Christian rhetoric to justify military action. The conflict escalated in April when Trump labeled the pope as “weak on crime” and accused him of siding with the radical left. In response, Pope Leo reiterated his commitment to advocating for peace and dialogue during a trip to Algeria, emphasizing the need for just solutions to global conflicts.
Rubio is also set to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has defended the pope. The discussions come at a time when the war in Iran has raised concerns over U.S. leadership, as noted by Italy’s defense minister. The pope has previously criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policies and called for improved relations between the United States and Cuba.
