Pope Leo XIV has responded to criticisms directed at him by US President Donald Trump.
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the official information platform of the Vatican, "Vatican News," released information regarding the matter.
US President Donald Trump had previously stated that there was no need for a pope who opposed his policies. In response, the head of the Catholic Church emphasized that his mission remains unchanged. "The mission of the Catholic Church is to preach the Gospel and promote peace. If someone wants to criticize me for this, let them do so honestly. I simply hope that my voice will be heard," the pontiff stated.
According to reports, US President Donald Trump has claimed on several occasions that Pope Leo XIV would not be the head of the Vatican if he were not in the White House. These statements have been met with criticism from various political figures. Additionally, it was noted that the US leader emphasized he might withdraw support from those who oppose him.
Pope Leo XIV also criticized the United States' policy toward Iran, describing threats against the Iranian people as unacceptable. He stated that the desire for dominance is inconsistent with the path of Christ. This exchange comes as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Rome and the Vatican on May 7–8 to reduce tensions in US-Italy relations. Media reports indicate that the dialogue has become increasingly strained following US President Donald Trump's criticisms of both Pope Leo XIV and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The Vatican, as the smallest independent state in the world and the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church, frequently engages in global diplomacy to advocate for humanitarian issues and conflict resolution. Historically, relations between the Holy See and the United States have fluctuated based on alignment over social and geopolitical policies, with the Vatican often maintaining a neutral but firm stance on international security and human rights.
