U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed his attacks on Pope Leo XIV just days before a high-stakes visit by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the Vatican and Italy.
Why it matters: The clash risks straining U.S.–Vatican ties at a sensitive geopolitical moment.
- It lands just ahead of Rubio’s visit, widely seen as a damage-control mission.
- The rhetoric spills into broader tensions with key allies, including Italy.
- Iran — and its nuclear program — sits at the center of both the dispute and upcoming talks.
Zoom in: Trump vs. the Pope. In an interview with Hugh Hewitt on Salem News Channel, Trump accused Pope Leo XIV of putting “many Catholics and many people” at risk, adding that “for him it’s fine that Iran has a nuclear weapon.”
- The comments come less than 48 hours before the Pope is set to meet Rubio in Rome.
- The attack follows earlier remarks in which Trump described the first American Pope as “weak and bad,” criticizing his stance on the war involving Iran.
The Vatican line. The Holy See has opted for de-escalation.
- “The Pope has already responded, I would not add anything,” Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said. He framed Leo XIV’s position as consistent with his role: “to preach peace.”
- Parolin acknowledged differences — “we understand not everyone is on the same line” — but stressed that this remains “the Pope’s answer.”
- The message from Rome: avoid a political clash, keep the focus on the Pope’s pastoral mission.
Italy reacts — cautiously. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini struck a respectful tone: “The Pope is not to be debated, he is to be listened to.”
- But the broader Italian response has been more tense. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called Trump’s remarks “unacceptable” in mid-April, after distancing herself from the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran — a sign that tensions with Washington were building even before the latest escalation.
- Trump, in turn, criticized Italy directly: “I’m not happy with Italy… it thinks it’s fine if Iran has a nuclear weapon,” echoing the language used against the Pope.
Between the lines: Rubio’s repair mission. At the State Department, officials are presenting Rubio’s upcoming trip to the Vatican and Rome on Thursday and Friday as an attempt to mend relations following Trump’s controversial statements, as per sources cited in the material.
- “If the Vatican were in Warsaw, he would have gone to Warsaw,” one source said, underscoring the priority attached to the visit.
- Rubio, a Catholic, is expected to try to contain the diplomatic fallout — both with the Holy See and with Italy.
- Sources express skepticism about how much he can actually “rein in” Trump.
The Iran factor. Iran is the core fault line. Trump is using the nuclear issue to attack both the Pope and U.S. allies.
- Italy, through Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, has reiterated that nuclear weapons for Tehran are a “red line.”
- The Strait of Hormuz — and a U.S. naval effort dubbed “Project Freedom” — remains a key obstacle to renewed U.S.-Iran talks.
- The issue is set to dominate Rubio’s meetings in both Rome and the Vatican.
Spillover: allies, NATO and trade. The dispute is widening beyond the Vatican.
- Italy has been criticized over its stance on the use of the Sigonella base. Trump has questioned NATO’s role in the Iran conflict.
- Tariff threats are back on the table, including potential 25% duties on EU cars and trucks.
- Germany is also in the mix, with the Pentagon announcing the withdrawal of 5,000 troops after critical remarks from Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The Cuba angle. Another sensitive issue for Rubio’s Vatican stop: Cuba. The island — central to Rubio’s political background — is under renewed U.S. pressure, including restrictions on oil imports and aid. Trump has warned that after Iran, “Cuba” could be next.
- Rome has recently become a hub for quiet diplomatic contacts on the island, including the presence of Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and meetings involving U.S. and Vatican officials. The talks have explored a possible mediation role by the Holy See on Washington’s pressure campaign against Havana.
What to watch:
- The tone and optics of the Pope–Rubio meeting.
- Whether the U.S. can stabilize ties with Italy.
- Any shift in rhetoric from Trump.
- Progress — or further deadlock — on Iran and Hormuz.
The bottom line: Trump is escalating a political and ideological clash with the Pope, using Iran as the battleground. The Vatican is refusing to engage. U.S. diplomacy — through Rubio — is now trying to contain the fallout before it spreads further across allies.
- “Rome is awaiting Rubio’s arrival,” a diplomatic source said, in a wait defined by close attention and cautious hopes for dialogue.
