Pope Says Church Mission Is Peace After Trump Criticism

Pope Leo said the Catholic Church’s mission is to preach the Gospel and promote peace, responding to criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump over the pontiff’s stance on conflict in the Middle East.

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Speaking on Tuesday, the Pope said he would continue advocating for peace even if his comments attracted criticism.

“The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace,” he said, according to Reuters. “If someone wants to criticise me for preaching the Gospel… I hope simply to be listened to because of the value of God’s words.”

Trump criticism and nuclear claim

Trump has repeatedly criticised the first U.S.-born pontiff, particularly over his opposition to the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

In remarks this week on a conservative radio show hosted by Hugh Hewitt, Trump claimed the Pope believed it was acceptable for Iran to possess a nuclear weapon. The Vatican has made no such statement.

Trump said the Pope was “endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people” because he “thinks it's fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon”.

The dispute comes amid broader disagreements over the Middle East conflict. Pope Leo has repeatedly spoken against the war, urging leaders to pursue peaceful solutions.

Last month he said: “As a pastor, I cannot be in favour of war.”

“I would like to encourage all to make efforts to look for answers that come from a culture of peace and not from a place of hate and division,” he added.

Rubio visit to Vatican

The exchange between Trump and the Vatican comes as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepares for a two-day visit to the Vatican and Italy.

The U.S. State Department said the trip aims to strengthen bilateral relations with Italy and the Holy See and address international issues, including developments in the Middle East and shared interests in the Western Hemisphere.

Speaking before the visit, Rubio rejected suggestions the trip was intended to ease tensions between Washington and the Vatican.

“It’s a trip we have planned from before, and obviously we had some stuff that happened,” Rubio said. “There’s a lot to talk about with the Vatican.”

Diplomats downplay rift

Despite the public criticism, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch said relations between the United States and the Vatican remained stable.

“Nations have disagreements, and I think one of the ways that you work through those is through fraternity and authentic dialogue,” Burch told reporters.

“I don’t accept the idea that somehow there’s some deep rift,” he added, saying upcoming meetings could provide an opportunity to address differences.

The dispute has also created tension between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, once considered a close ally of the U.S. president.

Meloni criticised the Middle East war and defended the Pope’s position. When asked by reporters whether she would meet Rubio during his visit, she replied: “I think so.”

Social media backlash

Trump also attacked the Pope on social media, describing him as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy”.

He suggested the pontiff had been chosen because he was American and could help the Church deal with his presidency.

“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump wrote.

Shortly afterwards, Trump posted an image depicting himself in a Jesus-like pose. The post was later removed. He later told reporters the image showed “me as a doctor”.

Vice-President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism, defended Trump and said the Vatican should focus on moral matters rather than political issues.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 6 May 2026