Trump doubles down on attacks against Pope Leo, falsely claims pontiff endangers Catholics by opposing Iran war

President Donald Trump has once again launched a series of unfounded attacks on Pope Leo XIV, accusing the pontiff of “endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people” by opposing the ongoing U.S.-Israel war against Iran. In a May 5 interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump falsely claimed that Pope Leo supports Iran having nuclear weapons, a position the pope has never taken and in fact has consistently rejected.

The first U.S.-born pope has repeatedly called for peace and the rejection of all nuclear arms, emphasizing the Church’s mission to preach the Gospel and peace. Speaking to journalists in Italy, Pope Leo reminded critics that the Church’s just war doctrine requires strict conditions for military force to be morally permissible—conditions not met in the current conflict with Iran.

Trump’s accusations come amid a broader campaign to justify the war, which began before the resumption of diplomatic talks in Vienna and followed U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025. The administration claims these strikes “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear weapons program, framing the conflict as a necessary defense against a grave threat.

Despite the pope’s consistent calls for peace, Trump’s rhetoric paints him as weak on foreign policy and complicit in endangering global security. This narrative serves to rally hawkish support and distract from mounting domestic controversies surrounding the administration.

The president’s attacks also come just days before Secretary of State Marco Rubio, himself Catholic, is slated to meet with Pope Leo at the Vatican. Rubio downplayed the notion that the meeting aims to “smooth things over,” highlighting shared concerns such as religious freedom and humanitarian aid distribution, particularly in Cuba. Rubio reaffirmed Trump’s stance opposing Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons, warning of the global threat such a capability would pose.

Trump’s latest salvo was triggered by a question about Jimmy Lai, the prominent Hong Kong Catholic media tycoon imprisoned under China’s national security law. While Pope Leo has met with Lai’s family and advocated for human rights, Trump used the moment to double down on his attacks against the pope rather than address the broader human rights issues.

Public opinion reflects skepticism about the war, with a recent Marquette Law School poll showing 63% of Americans believe there were insufficient reasons for the conflict, and only 32% approve of Trump’s handling of it.

Trump’s ongoing campaign against Pope Leo reveals a disturbing pattern of undermining moral authority figures who challenge his administration’s aggressive foreign policy. By falsely accusing the pope of endangering Catholics, Trump seeks to silence dissent and legitimize a war that remains deeply unpopular at home and fraught with moral and legal questions.