Two starkly different visions for the United States emerged as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. Speaking on the eve of Independence Day, US President Donald Trump used a high-profile address at Mount Rushmore to warn that American identity is under internal assault, while Pope Leo XIV—the first American-born pontiff—issued a pointed call reminding the country that its greatness was built by immigrants.<h2>A message of compassion from the Vatican</h2>In an official letter released Friday (Jul 3) ahead of the July 4th milestone, Pope Leo XIV celebrated America's foundational promise of liberty and democracy. However, the Chicago-born pontiff explicitly tied those historical ideals to the modern, highly polarised debate over immigration.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/do-not-open-until-2276-inside-the-us-time-capsule-that-won-t-be-opened-for-250-years-america-anniversary-1783040677941">Do not open until 2276: Inside the US time capsule that won't be opened for 250 years</a>"Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting, and assisting immigrants," Pope Leo wrote, challenging the tightening border restrictions that have defined the current US political landscape.The Pope argued that generations of newcomers fleeing hardship have consistently enriched, rather than diminished, the American character. He added that welcoming them with generosity is a fundamental "recognition of the dignity that belongs to every human person".<h2>Trump warns of attack on US identity</h2>Hours after the Vatican's letter, President Trump delivered an address at Mount Rushmore, standing beneath the monuments of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. He framed the 250th anniversary not just as a celebration, but as a defence of the nation's heritage against domestic "radicals and extremists".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-independence-day-2026-what-is-semiquincentennial-meaning-behind-america-s-250th-anniversary-1783137056260">US Independence Day 2026: What is Semiquincentennial? Meaning behind America's 250th anniversary</a>"As we approach this magnificent anniversary, we see our American identity under a renewed attack," Trump told the crowd, warning of a resurgence of extreme ideologies threatening the country's exceptionalism."In recent years, there's been an undeniable attempt to change this exceptional character, to beat the American spirit out of us, alienate us from our history," he saidWhile Trump moderated some of his harsher rhetoric for the anniversary crowd, he insisted: "You do not have to be born here, but you do have to love what we have built."

Is America a nation strengthened by immigrants or a country whose identity is under threat? As the US marks its 250th anniversary, Pope Leo XIV and President Donald Trump have offered sharply different answers. Scroll down.

Two starkly different visions for the United States emerged as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. Speaking on the eve of Independence Day, US President Donald Trump used a high-profile address at Mount Rushmore to warn that American identity is under internal assault, while Pope Leo XIV—the first American-born pontiff—issued a pointed call reminding the country that its greatness was built by immigrants. A message of compassion from the Vatican In an official letter released Friday (Jul 3) ahead of the July 4th milestone, Pope Leo XIV celebrated America's foundational promise of liberty and democracy. However, the Chicago-born pontiff explicitly tied those historical ideals to the modern, highly polarised debate over immigration. Also read | Do not open until 2276: Inside the US time capsule that won't be opened for 250 years "Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting, and assisting immigrants," Pope Leo wrote, challenging the tightening border restrictions that have defined the current US political landscape. The Pope argued that generations of newcomers fleeing hardship have consistently enriched, rather than diminished, the American character. He added that welcoming them with generosity is a fundamental "recognition of the dignity that belongs to every human person". Trump warns of attack on US identity Hours after the Vatican's letter, President Trump delivered an address at Mount Rushmore, standing beneath the monuments of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. He framed the 250th anniversary not just as a celebration, but as a defence of the nation's heritage against domestic "radicals and extremists". Also read | US Independence Day 2026: What is Semiquincentennial? Meaning behind America's 250th anniversary "As we approach this magnificent anniversary, we see our American identity under a renewed attack," Trump told the crowd, warning of a resurgence of extreme ideologies threatening the country's exceptionalism. "In recent years, there's been an undeniable attempt to change this exceptional character, to beat the American spirit out of us, alienate us from our history," he said While Trump moderated some of his harsher rhetoric for the anniversary crowd, he insisted: "You do not have to be born here, but you do have to love what we have built."

Is America a nation strengthened by immigrants or a country whose identity is under threat? As the US marks its 250th anniversary, Pope Leo XIV and President Donald Trump have offered sharply different answers. Scroll down.

Pope Leo XIV uses America's 250th anniversary to push for migrant rights as Trump warns of 'threats to US identity'

Pope Leo XIV has drawn massive crowds during his ongoing tour of Spain, with thousands gathering across Madrid and other cities to catch a glimpse of the pontiff. The visit has featured large public events, including appearances at major landmarks and meetings with political and religious figures.

Pope Leo XIV Draws Massive Crowds During Spain Tour 

Pope Leo XIV has publicly thrown his support behind the United States as the FIFA World Cup 2026 prepares to kick off on June 11, giving a morale boost to the tournament's co-host nation. The pontiff, who made history as the first American leader of the Catholic Church, said he would be supporting the US national team throughout the competition, despite his demanding schedule.&nbsp;Speaking to a journalist aboard a flight from Rome to Madrid on Saturday, Pope Leo said, “I would certainly support the US. I don't know how many games I'll be able to see, but I wish them all the best.” The United States is co-hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 alongside Canada and Mexico. The American team will begin its Group D campaign against Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/meet-the-indian-origin-footballers-set-to-feature-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-1780747695549">Meet the Indian-origin footballers set to feature at FIFA World Cup 2026</a>&nbsp;Born Robert Prevost in the Chicago suburbs, Pope Leo XIV also holds Peruvian citizenship after spending decades serving as a missionary and bishop in Peru before becoming Pope. His connection to both countries has often sparked curiosity about his football loyalties. Last year, Pope Leo indicated he would support Peru if the South American nation faced the United States on the field. However, Peru failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, leaving Team USA as the recipient of the Pope's backing.&nbsp;During the flight, the Pope was also asked whether he preferred Real Madrid or Barcelona. Remaining diplomatic in his current role, he replied, “The Pope is for all teams.” He then referenced his pre-papal identity and added with a smile, “Prevost is for Real Madrid.” Pope Leo is currently on a week-long visit to Spain and the Canary Islands as excitement builds for the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026.<h2>How to watch and stream FIFA World Cup 2026 in India</h2>You can watch FIFA 2026 on Zee’s new Unite8 Sports network (Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD). Multiple group-stage matches that will take place simultaneously will be aired across the four channels with English and Hindi feeds. All games will also be streamed live on the Zee5 app and website.Link: <a href="https://www.zee5.com/">https://www.zee5.com/</a>

Pope Leo XIV supports Team USA ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The first American Pope also reveals his Real Madrid preference during a visit to Spain

Pope Leo XIV has publicly thrown his support behind the United States as the FIFA World Cup 2026 prepares to kick off on June 11, giving a morale boost to the tournament's co-host nation. The pontiff, who made history as the first American leader of the Catholic Church, said he would be supporting the US national team throughout the competition, despite his demanding schedule. Speaking to a journalist aboard a flight from Rome to Madrid on Saturday, Pope Leo said, “I would certainly support the US. I don't know how many games I'll be able to see, but I wish them all the best.” The United States is co-hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 alongside Canada and Mexico. The American team will begin its Group D campaign against Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye. Also Read: Meet the Indian-origin footballers set to feature at FIFA World Cup 2026 Born Robert Prevost in the Chicago suburbs, Pope Leo XIV also holds Peruvian citizenship after spending decades serving as a missionary and bishop in Peru before becoming Pope. His connection to both countries has often sparked curiosity about his football loyalties. Last year, Pope Leo indicated he would support Peru if the South American nation faced the United States on the field. However, Peru failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, leaving Team USA as the recipient of the Pope's backing. During the flight, the Pope was also asked whether he preferred Real Madrid or Barcelona. Remaining diplomatic in his current role, he replied, “The Pope is for all teams.” He then referenced his pre-papal identity and added with a smile, “Prevost is for Real Madrid.” Pope Leo is currently on a week-long visit to Spain and the Canary Islands as excitement builds for the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026. How to watch and stream FIFA World Cup 2026 in India You can watch FIFA 2026 on Zee’s new Unite8 Sports network (Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD). Multiple group-stage matches that will take place simultaneously will be aired across the four channels with English and Hindi feeds. All games will also be streamed live on the Zee5 app and website. Link: https://www.zee5.com/

With just a few days left before the FIFA World Cup 2026 begins, Pope Leo XIV has revealed the team he will be supporting and wishes them all the best

The Pope has chosen! Leo XIV reveals which team he's supporting at FIFA World Cup 2026

Anthropic's billionaire co-founder and self-described atheist, Chris Olah's visit to the Vatican was probably one of the most consequential PR campaigns for Anthropic. Standing alongside Pope Leo, the AI lab’s interpretability research division leader, Olah, called for collaboration between tech developers and spiritual authorities. He also noted that Anthropic's AI models are showing more than computing ability.&nbsp;.“And I will be honest: we keep finding things that are mysterious, even unsettling. We find structures that mirror results from human neuroscience. We find evidence of introspection. We find internal states that functionally mirror joy, satisfaction, fear, grief, and unease. I don’t know what that means, but I think it warrants ongoing discernment,” said Olah.Anthropic eventhough maintains ambivalence, continues to flirt with the idea of a conscious AI. Earlier this year, Anthropic published &nbsp;a “constitution” for Claude, a document outlining “the kind of entity we would like Claude to be.” It specifies that eventhough Anthropic currently refers to Claude as “it”, they do not dismiss the possibility of Anthropic being a subject. Anthropic has now, since its founding, evolved into a “devil's advocate”. The company was founded by former OpenAI employees specifically to prioritise AI safety over profit, but it has embedded itself within the most high-stakes arena of human conflict – &nbsp;the United States military and intelligence complex. While it warns about the unsettling nature of its model, it gladly accepts defence money and partnership.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-anti-tech-extremism-ai-protests-report-1779955748716">AI protesters could become ‘extremists,’ warns secret Trump admin security report</a><h2>Vatican's entry into AI chat seems unsettling</h2>The Vatican's entry into the &nbsp;AI discourse is creating a profound sense of unease because it hints that AI has transitioned from a commercial tech boom to a deeply unpredictable existential and moral crisis. The very people who are building the AI infrastructure are struggling with the ability to govern it. The Claude Mythos is a massive leap past standard LLMs, had shown troubling symptoms. While Pope Leo has been critical of the AI, it is of course possible that the Vatican’s official stance on AI will evolve. Then, by combining spiritual authority with cutting-edge technology and introducing religious framing into AI, we risk turning a digital tool into an entity that is capable of soul, consciousness and divine proxy, even if it merely mimics human activity.&nbsp;

Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah’s Vatican visit and comments on AI “introspection” and emotional states have intensified debate over AI consciousness, religion and the future of artificial intelligence.

Anthropic's billionaire co-founder and self-described atheist, Chris Olah's visit to the Vatican was probably one of the most consequential PR campaigns for Anthropic. Standing alongside Pope Leo, the AI lab’s interpretability research division leader, Olah, called for collaboration between tech developers and spiritual authorities. He also noted that Anthropic's AI models are showing more than computing ability. .“And I will be honest: we keep finding things that are mysterious, even unsettling. We find structures that mirror results from human neuroscience. We find evidence of introspection. We find internal states that functionally mirror joy, satisfaction, fear, grief, and unease. I don’t know what that means, but I think it warrants ongoing discernment,” said Olah. Anthropic eventhough maintains ambivalence, continues to flirt with the idea of a conscious AI. Earlier this year, Anthropic published a “constitution” for Claude, a document outlining “the kind of entity we would like Claude to be.” It specifies that eventhough Anthropic currently refers to Claude as “it”, they do not dismiss the possibility of Anthropic being a subject. Anthropic has now, since its founding, evolved into a “devil's advocate”. The company was founded by former OpenAI employees specifically to prioritise AI safety over profit, but it has embedded itself within the most high-stakes arena of human conflict – the United States military and intelligence complex. While it warns about the unsettling nature of its model, it gladly accepts defence money and partnership. Also read: AI protesters could become ‘extremists,’ warns secret Trump admin security report Vatican's entry into AI chat seems unsettling The Vatican's entry into the AI discourse is creating a profound sense of unease because it hints that AI has transitioned from a commercial tech boom to a deeply unpredictable existential and moral crisis. The very people who are building the AI infrastructure are struggling with the ability to govern it. The Claude Mythos is a massive leap past standard LLMs, had shown troubling symptoms. While Pope Leo has been critical of the AI, it is of course possible that the Vatican’s official stance on AI will evolve. Then, by combining spiritual authority with cutting-edge technology and introducing religious framing into AI, we risk turning a digital tool into an entity that is capable of soul, consciousness and divine proxy, even if it merely mimics human activity.

Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah’s Vatican visit and comments on AI “introspection” and emotional states have intensified debate over AI consciousness, religion and the future of artificial intelligence.

‘We find evidence of introspection’: The unsettling admission of Anthropic co-founder

Pope Leo XIV has raised concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence, warning that unchecked automation could lead to large-scale job losses and social instability. In his first official encyclical, the Pope focused on the impact of AI on society, urging governments and corporations to act responsibly as the technology continues to expand across industries.&nbsp;<h2>AI could trigger job losses if not managed</h2>Pope Leo said that artificial intelligence has the potential to replace a large number of jobs if it is used without proper safeguards. He warned that mass layoffs driven by automation could create serious economic and social challenges.According to him, replacing workers at scale could:Increase poverty levels Widen economic inequality Lead to social instabilityHe stressed that decisions driven only by profit could worsen these risks, especially if companies prioritise efficiency over human livelihoods.<h2>Human dignity must remain central</h2>The Pope emphasised that technology should not undermine human dignity. He said that economic systems must remain focused on the common good rather than only financial gains. He noted that people are not just units of productivity, but individuals with social and community roles. According to him, losing meaningful work can affect not only income but also identity and well-being. He stated that “the pursuit of greater profits cannot justify choices that sacrifice jobs,” highlighting the need for ethical limits in automation.<h2>AI still has benefits when used responsibly</h2>Despite his concerns, Pope Leo acknowledged that artificial intelligence can bring positive change if used carefully.He said AI can:Reduce dangerous and repetitive work Support sectors like healthcare and education Improve efficiency in many industriesHowever, he stressed that these benefits must not come at the cost of widespread unemployment.<h2>Call for global regulation and policy action</h2>The encyclical placed strong emphasis on the role of governments and institutions in managing AI’s impact. The Pope called for clear policies to ensure that technological progress does not harm workers. He warned that without timely action, many people could become marginalised in a world increasingly shaped by machines and automated systems. Experts note that similar concerns are being raised globally, as policymakers debate how to regulate AI while supporting innovation.<h2>Growing global debate on AI and jobs</h2>The Pope’s remarks come at a time when AI adoption is accelerating across sectors such as technology, finance and manufacturing. Studies suggest that automation could affect millions of jobs in the coming years, although new roles may also emerge.This has led to an ongoing debate about how to balance: Innovation and economic growth Job protection and workforce transition Ethical use of technologyWhat this means for the futurePope Leo’s message highlights a key issue in the AI era: how to ensure that technology benefits society as a whole. While AI is expected to continue growing, the focus is now shifting towards responsible use, fair policies and protection of workers. As governments and companies expand their use of AI, discussions around regulation and ethics are likely to intensify. The Pope’s warning adds to global calls for a balanced approach, where innovation continues but human welfare remains at the centre of decision-making.

Pope Leo XIV has raised concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence, warning that unchecked automation could lead to large-scale job losses and social instability.


Pope Leo XIV has raised concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence, warning that unchecked automation could lead to large-scale job losses and social instability. In his first official encyclical, the Pope focused on the impact of AI on society, urging governments and corporations to act responsibly as the technology continues to expand across industries. AI could trigger job losses if not managed Pope Leo said that artificial intelligence has the potential to replace a large number of jobs if it is used without proper safeguards. He warned that mass layoffs driven by automation could create serious economic and social challenges. According to him, replacing workers at scale could: Increase poverty levels Widen economic inequality Lead to social instability He stressed that decisions driven only by profit could worsen these risks, especially if companies prioritise efficiency over human livelihoods. Human dignity must remain central The Pope emphasised that technology should not undermine human dignity. He said that economic systems must remain focused on the common good rather than only financial gains. He noted that people are not just units of productivity, but individuals with social and community roles. According to him, losing meaningful work can affect not only income but also identity and well-being. He stated that “the pursuit of greater profits cannot justify choices that sacrifice jobs,” highlighting the need for ethical limits in automation. AI still has benefits when used responsibly Despite his concerns, Pope Leo acknowledged that artificial intelligence can bring positive change if used carefully. He said AI can: Reduce dangerous and repetitive work Support sectors like healthcare and education Improve efficiency in many industries However, he stressed that these benefits must not come at the cost of widespread unemployment. Call for global regulation and policy action The encyclical placed strong emphasis on the role of governments and institutions in managing AI’s impact. The Pope called for clear policies to ensure that technological progress does not harm workers. He warned that without timely action, many people could become marginalised in a world increasingly shaped by machines and automated systems. Experts note that similar concerns are being raised globally, as policymakers debate how to regulate AI while supporting innovation. Growing global debate on AI and jobs The Pope’s remarks come at a time when AI adoption is accelerating across sectors such as technology, finance and manufacturing. Studies suggest that automation could affect millions of jobs in the coming years, although new roles may also emerge. This has led to an ongoing debate about how to balance: Innovation and economic growth Job protection and workforce transition Ethical use of technology What this means for the future Pope Leo’s message highlights a key issue in the AI era: how to ensure that technology benefits society as a whole. While AI is expected to continue growing, the focus is now shifting towards responsible use, fair policies and protection of workers. As governments and companies expand their use of AI, discussions around regulation and ethics are likely to intensify. The Pope’s warning adds to global calls for a balanced approach, where innovation continues but human welfare remains at the centre of decision-making.

Pope Leo XIV has raised concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence, warning that unchecked automation could lead to large-scale job losses and social instability.

‘Future of work’: Pope Leo XIV warns of AI-led job losses, calls for responsible use of technology

US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 8) revealed that he had instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to personally deliver his stern message to Pope Leo XIV during their Vatican meeting, a diplomatic errand that unfolded against the backdrop of one of the most public feuds between a US president and a sitting pontiff in modern history. Trump said he told Rubio to "very nicely, very respectfully" tell the Pope that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, something which the Pope has never supported anyway.<h2>Trump makes Rubio his errand boy: The message REVEALED</h2>"I just said, tell the pope very nicely, very respectfully, that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump told reporters during an inspection of the Lincoln Memorial's reflecting pool renovations. "Also, tell the pope that Iran killed 42,000 innocent protesters who didn't have guns, who didn't have weapons. Tell that to the pope."<h2>Pope-Rubio 'exchanged views' on global issues</h2>Rubio met with Leo on Thursday, the first meeting between the pope and a Trump cabinet official in nearly a year. The Vatican later said the two men exchanged views on global issues, including the Middle East conflict and "the need to work tirelessly in favour of peace."There was also a notably awkward gift exchange. Rubio presented Leo, a Chicago native and lifelong White Sox fan, with a small crystal American football, while acknowledging that the pontiff was more of a "baseball guy." Leo responded by giving Rubio a pen carved from olive wood, noting that the olive branch is a symbol of peace. The symbolism was not subtle.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rubio-s-turns-vatican-visit-awkward-with-odd-football-gift-pope-leo-s-wow-okay-steals-the-spotlight-1778213667220">Rubio turns Vatican visit awkward with odd football gift; Pope Leo's 'wow, okay' steals the spotlight</a><h2>Trump vs Pope feud continues to escalate</h2>The meeting took place as the Pope and the POTUS continue to be embroiled in a very public feud. Trump has spent weeks attacking Leo for opposing the Iran war, and has repeatedly and falsely suggested the pope believes it is acceptable for Iran to develop nuclear weapons. He even called the pontiff "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy" in a Truth Social post.Later, Trump shared and then deleted an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ. He then told a radio interviewer the pope was "endangering a lot of Catholics."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-if-anyone-wants-to-criticise-me-do-so-truthfully-pope-leo-slams-trump-over-iran-nuclear-claims-1778062797564">'If anyone wants to criticise me, do so truthfully': Pope Leo slams Trump over Iran nuclear claims</a>Leo, meanwhile, has not backed down. "If anyone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the gospel, let them do so with the truth," he said. "The church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years; there is no doubt about that. I simply hope to be listened to because of the value of God's word." Notably, the Church's opposition to all nuclear weapons, not endorsement of any country having them, directly contradicts Trump's characterisation of Leo's stance, a misrepresentation the pope has now corrected publicly on multiple occasions.

Trump says he personally tasked Marco Rubio with delivering a message to Pope Leo: Iran cannot get a nuclear weapon. The unusual diplomatic relay comes as the Trump-Pope feud grows more public. Scroll down.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 8) revealed that he had instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to personally deliver his stern message to Pope Leo XIV during their Vatican meeting, a diplomatic errand that unfolded against the backdrop of one of the most public feuds between a US president and a sitting pontiff in modern history. Trump said he told Rubio to "very nicely, very respectfully" tell the Pope that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, something which the Pope has never supported anyway. Trump makes Rubio his errand boy: The message REVEALED "I just said, tell the pope very nicely, very respectfully, that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump told reporters during an inspection of the Lincoln Memorial's reflecting pool renovations. "Also, tell the pope that Iran killed 42,000 innocent protesters who didn't have guns, who didn't have weapons. Tell that to the pope." Pope-Rubio 'exchanged views' on global issues Rubio met with Leo on Thursday, the first meeting between the pope and a Trump cabinet official in nearly a year. The Vatican later said the two men exchanged views on global issues, including the Middle East conflict and "the need to work tirelessly in favour of peace." There was also a notably awkward gift exchange. Rubio presented Leo, a Chicago native and lifelong White Sox fan, with a small crystal American football, while acknowledging that the pontiff was more of a "baseball guy." Leo responded by giving Rubio a pen carved from olive wood, noting that the olive branch is a symbol of peace. The symbolism was not subtle. Also read | Rubio turns Vatican visit awkward with odd football gift; Pope Leo's 'wow, okay' steals the spotlight Trump vs Pope feud continues to escalate The meeting took place as the Pope and the POTUS continue to be embroiled in a very public feud. Trump has spent weeks attacking Leo for opposing the Iran war, and has repeatedly and falsely suggested the pope believes it is acceptable for Iran to develop nuclear weapons. He even called the pontiff "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy" in a Truth Social post. Later, Trump shared and then deleted an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ. He then told a radio interviewer the pope was "endangering a lot of Catholics." Also read | 'If anyone wants to criticise me, do so truthfully': Pope Leo slams Trump over Iran nuclear claims Leo, meanwhile, has not backed down. "If anyone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the gospel, let them do so with the truth," he said. "The church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years; there is no doubt about that. I simply hope to be listened to because of the value of God's word." Notably, the Church's opposition to all nuclear weapons, not endorsement of any country having them, directly contradicts Trump's characterisation of Leo's stance, a misrepresentation the pope has now corrected publicly on multiple occasions.

Trump says he personally tasked Marco Rubio with delivering a message to Pope Leo: Iran cannot get a nuclear weapon. The unusual diplomatic relay comes as the Trump-Pope feud grows more public. Scroll down.

‘Tell the pope’: Trump REVEALS he sent Rubio to Vatican with a pointed message on Iran

Marco Rubio's Vatican visit was supposed to be about diplomacy. Instead, for a brief moment, it looked more like an awkward holiday gift exchange involving what the internet has branded a 'cheap gift'. The US Secretary of State met Pope Leo XIV on Thursday (May 7) for talks officially centred on the Middle East and broader geopolitical issues, but it was Rubio’s gift choice that ended up stealing attention: a small crystal American football. It's not just the gift that is stealing attention, but also Rubio admitting that he knows that the Pope is, in fact, a baseball fan, yet he chose to gift the pontiff a football. The Pope's return gift has also taken the spotlight with its subtle peace message. All you need to know.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-if-anyone-wants-to-criticise-me-do-so-truthfully-pope-leo-slams-trump-over-iran-nuclear-claims-1778062797564">'If anyone wants to criticise me, do so truthfully': Pope Leo slams Trump over Iran nuclear claims</a><h2>What do you give someone 'who has everything'</h2>"I know you’re a baseball guy," Rubio told the Chicago-born pontiff while presenting the unusual keepsake, adding that it carried the State Department seal and jokingly asking what one gives "someone who has everything."Pope Leo, known to be a White Sox fan, appeared momentarily caught off guard and only said, "Wow, okay" upon receiving the unusual gift. That short response quickly became the defining social media moment of the meeting, with many reading it less as delight and more as polite Vatican diplomacy under pressure.<h2>A football for a baseball pope?</h2>Rubio's choice raised eyebrows not because it was offensive, but because it felt oddly personal, almost more reflective of Rubio than the pope. The Florida-born secretary is a longtime American football fan, particularly of the Miami Dolphins, while Pope Leo's sports loyalties are rooted in Chicago baseball culture.By contrast, the pope’s gift carried unmistakably symbolic weight: an olive wood pen, paired with a reminder that the olive branch represents peace. Given the wider political climate and the ongoing public feud between Pope Leo and US President Donald Trump, the symbolism was hard to miss. Despite the viral football moment, the Vatican later described Rubio’s talks as "cordial" and reaffirmed strong US-Holy See relations.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-dismisses-iranian-attack-on-three-us-warships-as-a-trifle-insists-ceasefire-still-in-place-1778205065513">Trump dismisses Iranian attack on three US warships in Strait of Hormuz as 'a trifle,' insists ceasefire still in place</a><h2>Bigger tensions behind the smiles</h2>The meeting came at a delicate moment, as Trump's increasingly sharp rhetoric toward Pope Leo continues. The POTUS, in recent days, has publicly criticised the pontiff over his opposition to war with Iran, accusing him, inaccurately according to Vatican statements, of being soft on Tehran.Pope Leo has instead reiterated the Church’s longstanding opposition to nuclear weapons and emphasised peace. "If someone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let him do so truthfully," the pope said earlier this week.

Marco Rubio went to the Vatican for diplomacy, but it was his gift, a crystal American football for a baseball-loving pope, that stole the spotlight. Pope Leo’s understated response and peace-themed return gift may have said far more than the official talks. Scroll down.

Marco Rubio's Vatican visit was supposed to be about diplomacy. Instead, for a brief moment, it looked more like an awkward holiday gift exchange involving what the internet has branded a 'cheap gift'. The US Secretary of State met Pope Leo XIV on Thursday (May 7) for talks officially centred on the Middle East and broader geopolitical issues, but it was Rubio’s gift choice that ended up stealing attention: a small crystal American football. It's not just the gift that is stealing attention, but also Rubio admitting that he knows that the Pope is, in fact, a baseball fan, yet he chose to gift the pontiff a football. The Pope's return gift has also taken the spotlight with its subtle peace message. All you need to know. Also read | 'If anyone wants to criticise me, do so truthfully': Pope Leo slams Trump over Iran nuclear claims What do you give someone 'who has everything' "I know you’re a baseball guy," Rubio told the Chicago-born pontiff while presenting the unusual keepsake, adding that it carried the State Department seal and jokingly asking what one gives "someone who has everything." Pope Leo, known to be a White Sox fan, appeared momentarily caught off guard and only said, "Wow, okay" upon receiving the unusual gift. That short response quickly became the defining social media moment of the meeting, with many reading it less as delight and more as polite Vatican diplomacy under pressure. A football for a baseball pope? Rubio's choice raised eyebrows not because it was offensive, but because it felt oddly personal, almost more reflective of Rubio than the pope. The Florida-born secretary is a longtime American football fan, particularly of the Miami Dolphins, while Pope Leo's sports loyalties are rooted in Chicago baseball culture. By contrast, the pope’s gift carried unmistakably symbolic weight: an olive wood pen, paired with a reminder that the olive branch represents peace. Given the wider political climate and the ongoing public feud between Pope Leo and US President Donald Trump, the symbolism was hard to miss. Despite the viral football moment, the Vatican later described Rubio’s talks as "cordial" and reaffirmed strong US-Holy See relations. Also read | Trump dismisses Iranian attack on three US warships in Strait of Hormuz as 'a trifle,' insists ceasefire still in place Bigger tensions behind the smiles The meeting came at a delicate moment, as Trump's increasingly sharp rhetoric toward Pope Leo continues. The POTUS, in recent days, has publicly criticised the pontiff over his opposition to war with Iran, accusing him, inaccurately according to Vatican statements, of being soft on Tehran. Pope Leo has instead reiterated the Church’s longstanding opposition to nuclear weapons and emphasised peace. "If someone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let him do so truthfully," the pope said earlier this week.

Marco Rubio went to the Vatican for diplomacy, but it was his gift, a crystal American football for a baseball-loving pope, that stole the spotlight. Pope Leo’s understated response and peace-themed return gift may have said far more than the official talks. Scroll down.

Rubio turns Vatican visit awkward with odd football gift; Pope Leo's 'wow, okay' steals the spotlight

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a 2.5-hour private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican, discussing global conflicts, humanitarian crises, and efforts toward peace. The unusually long meeting signals high-level diplomatic engagement between the United States and the Holy See amid rising geopolitical tensions worldwide.

Marco Rubio Holds 2.5-Hour Private Audience With Pope in Vatican

The US State Department reaffirmed its ‘strong relationship’ with the Vatican following talks between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pope Leo XIV on Thursday (May 7), despite recent tensions between the pontiff and President Donald Trump. “The conversations today were friendly and constructive,” a State Department official told AFP after Rubio’s private audience at the Vatican. Rubio’s visit followed Trump’s criticism of the first American pope, accusing Leo of being “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” after the pontiff voiced concerns over the Middle East conflict. After the meeting, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Pope Leo and Rubio discussed the Middle East and shared priorities in the Western Hemisphere, referring largely to Latin America.&nbsp;“The meeting underscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See and their shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity,” Pigott said. Rubio also met Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to discuss religious freedom and other international concerns. The Vatican described the talks as “cordial,” saying discussions focused on global conflicts, humanitarian issues, and “as well as the need to work tirelessly for peace”. The Holy See added that both sides expressed a “shared commitment to cultivate good bilateral relations”. During the exchange of gifts, Pope Leo presented Rubio with a pen crafted from olive wood, explaining that “the olive tree is a plant of peace”. The United States gifted the sports-loving pope a small crystal American football.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-india-is-the-place-to-be-says-chief-of-chamber-of-european-business-in-india-1778177931163">‘India is the place to be,’ says Chief of Chamber of European Business in India</a>&nbsp;Rubio, a devout Catholic, attempted to ease concerns about divisions between the White House and the Vatican, tensions that have drawn international attention and could affect Catholic voters in the United States. Speaking earlier this week, Parolin said regarding Rubio’s visit: “We'll listen to him”, while noting that Washington had requested the meeting. The Trump administration had welcomed Leo’s election on May 8, 2025, celebrating the rise of the first US-born pope. However, relations between the Vatican and Washington have since become strained. Trump’s latest criticism followed Pope Leo’s appeals for peace in the Middle East conflict involving Israel and the United States. The pontiff also described Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilisation as “truly unacceptable”.&nbsp;Before arriving in Rome, Rubio insisted the trip had been arranged before the dispute emerged, saying: “There's a lot to talk about with the Vatican.” A US official later praised the reception Rubio received, saying it “exceeded expectations”. Rubio entered Vatican City through the Arch of Bells, an honour typically reserved for heads of state, where he was welcomed by the Swiss Guard. Sources also confirmed discussions touched on Cuba, where the Vatican has historically played a diplomatic role. Rubio, a Cuban-American, has been a key figure in shaping US policy toward the communist-led nation.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/starmer-faces-crucial-electoral-test-as-polls-project-defeat-in-local-election-1778170057421/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/starmer-faces-crucial-electoral-test-as-polls-project-defeat-in-local-election-1778170057421/embed</a>&nbsp;Despite efforts to cool tensions, Trump again criticised the pope on Monday, claiming Leo believed it was “OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon”. “I think he's endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people,” Trump said. Responding to reporters on Tuesday, Pope Leo defended the Church’s long-standing stance on peace and disarmament. “If anyone wishes to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully,” he said.&nbsp;“The Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years, so there is no doubt about that, and I simply hope to be heard for the sake of the value of God's word.” Parolin later dismissed the attacks, saying: “The pope is being the pope.” Leo’s American background has amplified his influence in US political debates, especially after he criticised the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The pope and Rubio first met at the Vatican last year alongside Vice President JD Vance, just days after Leo’s historic election.

Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican as the US and Holy See reaffirmed relations despite Donald Trump’s criticism of the pope over Middle East policy and immigration

The US State Department reaffirmed its ‘strong relationship’ with the Vatican following talks between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pope Leo XIV on Thursday (May 7), despite recent tensions between the pontiff and President Donald Trump. “The conversations today were friendly and constructive,” a State Department official told AFP after Rubio’s private audience at the Vatican. Rubio’s visit followed Trump’s criticism of the first American pope, accusing Leo of being “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” after the pontiff voiced concerns over the Middle East conflict. After the meeting, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Pope Leo and Rubio discussed the Middle East and shared priorities in the Western Hemisphere, referring largely to Latin America. “The meeting underscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See and their shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity,” Pigott said. Rubio also met Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to discuss religious freedom and other international concerns. The Vatican described the talks as “cordial,” saying discussions focused on global conflicts, humanitarian issues, and “as well as the need to work tirelessly for peace”. The Holy See added that both sides expressed a “shared commitment to cultivate good bilateral relations”. During the exchange of gifts, Pope Leo presented Rubio with a pen crafted from olive wood, explaining that “the olive tree is a plant of peace”. The United States gifted the sports-loving pope a small crystal American football. Also Read: ‘India is the place to be,’ says Chief of Chamber of European Business in India Rubio, a devout Catholic, attempted to ease concerns about divisions between the White House and the Vatican, tensions that have drawn international attention and could affect Catholic voters in the United States. Speaking earlier this week, Parolin said regarding Rubio’s visit: “We'll listen to him”, while noting that Washington had requested the meeting. The Trump administration had welcomed Leo’s election on May 8, 2025, celebrating the rise of the first US-born pope. However, relations between the Vatican and Washington have since become strained. Trump’s latest criticism followed Pope Leo’s appeals for peace in the Middle East conflict involving Israel and the United States. The pontiff also described Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilisation as “truly unacceptable”. Before arriving in Rome, Rubio insisted the trip had been arranged before the dispute emerged, saying: “There's a lot to talk about with the Vatican.” A US official later praised the reception Rubio received, saying it “exceeded expectations”. Rubio entered Vatican City through the Arch of Bells, an honour typically reserved for heads of state, where he was welcomed by the Swiss Guard. Sources also confirmed discussions touched on Cuba, where the Vatican has historically played a diplomatic role. Rubio, a Cuban-American, has been a key figure in shaping US policy toward the communist-led nation. https://www.wionews.com/videos/starmer-faces-crucial-electoral-test-as-polls-project-defeat-in-local-election-1778170057421/embed Despite efforts to cool tensions, Trump again criticised the pope on Monday, claiming Leo believed it was “OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon”. “I think he's endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people,” Trump said. Responding to reporters on Tuesday, Pope Leo defended the Church’s long-standing stance on peace and disarmament. “If anyone wishes to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully,” he said. “The Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years, so there is no doubt about that, and I simply hope to be heard for the sake of the value of God's word.” Parolin later dismissed the attacks, saying: “The pope is being the pope.” Leo’s American background has amplified his influence in US political debates, especially after he criticised the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The pope and Rubio first met at the Vatican last year alongside Vice President JD Vance, just days after Leo’s historic election.

The United States and Vatican leaders reaffirm ties after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV amid escalating tensions with Donald Trump

Marco Rubio meets Pope Leo XIV as US-Vatican reaffirm 'strong' relations after Trump's criticism

The Trump vs Pope feud is heating up again. Pope Leo XIV has publicly responded to US President Donald Trump's latest attack on him over the Iran war. Pushing back against Trump's repeated and baseless assertion that the Chicago-born pontiff supports Iran's right to develop nuclear weapons, the pontiff, without mentioning the POTUS' name, said, "If anyone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully." &nbsp;<h2>What did Trump say?</h2>Trump made the claim again on Monday in an interview with Salem News Channel's Hugh Hewitt. "The pope would rather talk about the fact that it's OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, and I don't think that's very good," Trump said. "I think he's endangering a lot of Catholics, and a lot of people, but I guess if it's up to the pope, he thinks it's just fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon." Trump has made the claim multiple times; however, the Pope has not said anything of this sort publicly.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fact-check-did-the-pope-endorse-iran-s-nuclear-ambitions-decoding-trump-s-latest-vatican-attack-1776757709073">Fact check: Did the Pope endorse Iran’s nuclear ambitions? Decoding Trump’s latest Vatican attack</a><h2>Pope slams Trump</h2>Without naming Trump, Leo addressed the mischaracterisation directly. "I have already spoken from the first moment — 'Peace be with you.' The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace," he said, in remarks transcribed by Vatican correspondent Michael Haynes. "If anyone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully. The Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years, so there is no doubt about that."Previously, the Catholic Church had formally opposed all nuclear weapons for years, and Leo himself had specifically called for a world "free from the nuclear threat," urging world leaders to pursue "dialogue and diplomacy" rather than rearmament. At St. Peter's Basilica on April 12, he told gathered Catholics: "It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned, and deadly actions are decided."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-attack-on-dignity-pope-leo-xiv-takes-a-fresh-swipe-at-trump-the-most-explosive-moment-yet-in-their-public-feud-1777097130058">'Attack on dignity': Pope Leo XIV takes fresh swipe at Trump; the most explosive moment yet in their public feud</a><h2>Rubio's Vatican visit just got awkward</h2>The timing of the exchange is notable. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Rome this week and meet with the pope Thursday morning. The State Department described the visit as an opportunity to discuss "the situation in the Middle East and mutual interests in the Western Hemisphere."

The Trump-Pope clash is escalating again, with Pope Leo XIV now publicly pushing back after Trump repeatedly accused him, without evidence, of supporting Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Without naming Trump directly, the pontiff delivered a sharp rebuke. Scroll down to read what he said.

The Trump vs Pope feud is heating up again. Pope Leo XIV has publicly responded to US President Donald Trump's latest attack on him over the Iran war. Pushing back against Trump's repeated and baseless assertion that the Chicago-born pontiff supports Iran's right to develop nuclear weapons, the pontiff, without mentioning the POTUS' name, said, "If anyone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully." What did Trump say? Trump made the claim again on Monday in an interview with Salem News Channel's Hugh Hewitt. "The pope would rather talk about the fact that it's OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, and I don't think that's very good," Trump said. "I think he's endangering a lot of Catholics, and a lot of people, but I guess if it's up to the pope, he thinks it's just fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon." Trump has made the claim multiple times; however, the Pope has not said anything of this sort publicly. Also read | Fact check: Did the Pope endorse Iran’s nuclear ambitions? Decoding Trump’s latest Vatican attack Pope slams Trump Without naming Trump, Leo addressed the mischaracterisation directly. "I have already spoken from the first moment — 'Peace be with you.' The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace," he said, in remarks transcribed by Vatican correspondent Michael Haynes. "If anyone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully. The Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years, so there is no doubt about that." Previously, the Catholic Church had formally opposed all nuclear weapons for years, and Leo himself had specifically called for a world "free from the nuclear threat," urging world leaders to pursue "dialogue and diplomacy" rather than rearmament. At St. Peter's Basilica on April 12, he told gathered Catholics: "It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned, and deadly actions are decided." Also read | 'Attack on dignity': Pope Leo XIV takes fresh swipe at Trump; the most explosive moment yet in their public feud Rubio's Vatican visit just got awkward The timing of the exchange is notable. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Rome this week and meet with the pope Thursday morning. The State Department described the visit as an opportunity to discuss "the situation in the Middle East and mutual interests in the Western Hemisphere."

The Trump-Pope clash is escalating again, with Pope Leo XIV now publicly pushing back after Trump repeatedly accused him, without evidence, of supporting Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Without naming Trump directly, the pontiff delivered a sharp rebuke. Scroll down to read what he said.

'If anyone wants to criticise me, do so truthfully': Pope Leo slams Trump over Iran nuclear claims

Hours after the Justice Department announced it was lifting the federal moratorium on capital punishment and reinstating firing squad executions, Pope Leo XIV, in a pointed video message, condemned the death penalty. The timing of the video left little ambiguity about where the Pope stood, or who he was addressing. "The dignity of the person is not lost even after very serious crimes are committed," Leo said in a message sent to DePaul University, a Catholic institution in his native Chicago, marking the 15th anniversary of Illinois abolishing capital punishment.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-weird-stuff-happens-us-navy-sailor-headed-to-strait-of-hormuz-for-trump-s-minesweeping-mission-attacked-by-monkey-1777009414675">'Weird stuff happens': Monkey temporarily derails Trump's 'shoot and kill' mission in Strait of Hormuz</a><h2>What did the Pope say?</h2>In a pointed message, the head of the Catholic Church, who in recent days has been engaged in a very public feud with US President Donald Trump, highlighted that every life is sacred. "The Catholic Church has consistently taught that each human life, from the moment of conception until natural death, is sacred and deserves to be protected. Indeed, the right to life is the very foundation of every other human right," he said.Acknowledging that those who commit a crime need to be punished, he suggested that instead of such hardline penalties, methods that protect the citizens while giving the guilty a shot at "redemption" could be embraced. "Furthermore, effective systems of detention can be and have been developed that protect citizens while at the same time do not completely deprive those who are guilty of the possibility of redemption."The pope also invoked his predecessors to make clear this wasn't just a personal opinion. "Pope Francis and my recent predecessors repeatedly insisted that the common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment," he said. "The church teaches that the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-die-with-a-smile-healthy-uk-mother-who-lost-son-to-freak-accident-chooses-assisted-suicide-over-living-without-him-1777017520511">'Die with a smile': Healthy UK mother chooses assisted suicide because of THIS heartbreaking reason</a><h2>US and firing squad punishment</h2>The remarks landed on the same day Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche formally announced the end of a Biden-era moratorium on federal executions, announcing the return of capital punishment, including by firing squad. Blanche also blamed the previous administration for failing to pursue "the ultimate punishment against the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child murderers, and cop killers." There had been no federal executions during Biden's presidency or in the first 15 months of Trump's second term. The last federal execution took place in the final days of Trump's first administration.

As Donald Trump’s administration lifts the moratorium and brings back firing squads, the Pope has issued a sharp moral rebuke, calling the death penalty “inadmissible.”

What exactly did he say, and why does it matter now? Scroll down to find out.

Hours after the Justice Department announced it was lifting the federal moratorium on capital punishment and reinstating firing squad executions, Pope Leo XIV, in a pointed video message, condemned the death penalty. The timing of the video left little ambiguity about where the Pope stood, or who he was addressing. "The dignity of the person is not lost even after very serious crimes are committed," Leo said in a message sent to DePaul University, a Catholic institution in his native Chicago, marking the 15th anniversary of Illinois abolishing capital punishment. Also read | 'Weird stuff happens': Monkey temporarily derails Trump's 'shoot and kill' mission in Strait of Hormuz What did the Pope say? In a pointed message, the head of the Catholic Church, who in recent days has been engaged in a very public feud with US President Donald Trump, highlighted that every life is sacred. "The Catholic Church has consistently taught that each human life, from the moment of conception until natural death, is sacred and deserves to be protected. Indeed, the right to life is the very foundation of every other human right," he said. Acknowledging that those who commit a crime need to be punished, he suggested that instead of such hardline penalties, methods that protect the citizens while giving the guilty a shot at "redemption" could be embraced. "Furthermore, effective systems of detention can be and have been developed that protect citizens while at the same time do not completely deprive those who are guilty of the possibility of redemption." The pope also invoked his predecessors to make clear this wasn't just a personal opinion. "Pope Francis and my recent predecessors repeatedly insisted that the common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment," he said. "The church teaches that the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person." Also read | 'Die with a smile': Healthy UK mother chooses assisted suicide because of THIS heartbreaking reason US and firing squad punishment The remarks landed on the same day Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche formally announced the end of a Biden-era moratorium on federal executions, announcing the return of capital punishment, including by firing squad. Blanche also blamed the previous administration for failing to pursue "the ultimate punishment against the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child murderers, and cop killers." There had been no federal executions during Biden's presidency or in the first 15 months of Trump's second term. The last federal execution took place in the final days of Trump's first administration.

As Donald Trump’s administration lifts the moratorium and brings back firing squads, the Pope has issued a sharp moral rebuke, calling the death penalty “inadmissible.”What exactly did he say, and why does it matter now? Scroll down to find out.

'Attack on dignity': Pope Leo XIV takes fresh swipe at Trump; the most explosive moment yet in their public feud

US President Donald Trump on Monday (Apr 20) once again escalated his feud with Pope Leo XIV, accusing the American-born pontiff of effectively endorsing Iran's nuclear ambitions and turning a blind eye to the regime's killing of protesters. Speaking during an interview with the NY Post, the POTUS slammed Pope, accusing him of being "fine" with Iran killing 42,000 unarmed protestors. This comes as Trump and the Pope continue to be engaged in a feud following the pontiff's denunciation of the Iran war.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-fake-jesus-iran-turns-trump-s-deleted-ai-image-into-a-viral-lego-diss-track-amid-pope-row-in-pics-1776326285612">'Fake Jesus!': Iran turns Trump's deleted AI-image into a viral LEGO diss track amid Pope row | In pics</a><h2>Trump's two questions for the Pope</h2>Accusing the pope of taking an unacceptable stance on Iran's nuclear programme. "Why does the pope think it is fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon and to kill 42,000 unarmed protesters?" Trump said in an early morning interview with the New York Post, framing his questions as a direct challenge to the pope's moral authority on the conflict.Calling the Iran war "one of the most important wars," he claimed to have told the Pope that "you can't allow them to have a nuclear weapon because they will use it and millions of people will be dead, including Italians and Catholics around the world.""And you can’t allow a country to kill 42,000 unarmed protesters, many of which were young people, who they hanged from a crane in a public square."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-gop-lawmaker-thinks-potus-is-almost-second-coming-of-jesus-even-as-trump-vs-pope-feud-escalates-1776407581219">THIS GOP lawmaker thinks POTUS is ‘almost second coming’ of Jesus even as Trump vs Pope feud escalates</a><h2>Is Pope in favour of Iran having nuclear weapons?</h2>No, the pope never said Iran should have a nuclear weapon, a point fact-checkers flagged when Trump made a similar mischaracterisation last week. But the president has shown no interest in walking back the framing, using it instead as the centrepiece of his case that Leo is naive about the realities of the conflict.The latest feud between them started earlier this month, when US President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself on Truth Social depicting him in a Jesus-like pose, with glowing hands, healing imagery, the works. The backlash was immediate, across political lines. Even some MAGA supporters pushed back. Trump deleted the post. His explanation, offered afterwards, was that the image showed him as a "doctor," not a religious figure. He declined to apologise to the Pope. Within hours, the internet had a new obsession (and Iran) had new meme material. The pope called for an end to "the madness of war," denounced "arrogant" leaders who wage armed conflict, and said at a Palm Sunday mass on March 29 that God "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them."However, the two men have been on a collision course for a long time before the Iran war. Before this, Leo had refused to join Trump's proposed Ukraine "Board of Peace," and had repeatedly criticised the administration's mass deportation policies and foreign policy posture.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Is the feud between Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV getting out of hand? Trump has accused the pontiff of being “fine” with Iran’s actions, sparking fresh controversy. What exactly did he say and how accurate is it?

Scroll down to read more.

US President Donald Trump on Monday (Apr 20) once again escalated his feud with Pope Leo XIV, accusing the American-born pontiff of effectively endorsing Iran's nuclear ambitions and turning a blind eye to the regime's killing of protesters. Speaking during an interview with the NY Post, the POTUS slammed Pope, accusing him of being "fine" with Iran killing 42,000 unarmed protestors. This comes as Trump and the Pope continue to be engaged in a feud following the pontiff's denunciation of the Iran war. Also read | 'Fake Jesus!': Iran turns Trump's deleted AI-image into a viral LEGO diss track amid Pope row | In pics Trump's two questions for the Pope Accusing the pope of taking an unacceptable stance on Iran's nuclear programme. "Why does the pope think it is fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon and to kill 42,000 unarmed protesters?" Trump said in an early morning interview with the New York Post, framing his questions as a direct challenge to the pope's moral authority on the conflict. Calling the Iran war "one of the most important wars," he claimed to have told the Pope that "you can't allow them to have a nuclear weapon because they will use it and millions of people will be dead, including Italians and Catholics around the world." "And you can’t allow a country to kill 42,000 unarmed protesters, many of which were young people, who they hanged from a crane in a public square." Also read | THIS GOP lawmaker thinks POTUS is ‘almost second coming’ of Jesus even as Trump vs Pope feud escalates Is Pope in favour of Iran having nuclear weapons? No, the pope never said Iran should have a nuclear weapon, a point fact-checkers flagged when Trump made a similar mischaracterisation last week. But the president has shown no interest in walking back the framing, using it instead as the centrepiece of his case that Leo is naive about the realities of the conflict. The latest feud between them started earlier this month, when US President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself on Truth Social depicting him in a Jesus-like pose, with glowing hands, healing imagery, the works. The backlash was immediate, across political lines. Even some MAGA supporters pushed back. Trump deleted the post. His explanation, offered afterwards, was that the image showed him as a "doctor," not a religious figure. He declined to apologise to the Pope. Within hours, the internet had a new obsession (and Iran) had new meme material. The pope called for an end to "the madness of war," denounced "arrogant" leaders who wage armed conflict, and said at a Palm Sunday mass on March 29 that God "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them." However, the two men have been on a collision course for a long time before the Iran war. Before this, Leo had refused to join Trump's proposed Ukraine "Board of Peace," and had repeatedly criticised the administration's mass deportation policies and foreign policy posture. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Is the feud between Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV getting out of hand? Trump has accused the pontiff of being “fine” with Iran’s actions, sparking fresh controversy. What exactly did he say and how accurate is it?Scroll down to read more.

Fact check: Did the Pope endorse Iran’s nuclear ambitions? Decoding Trump’s latest Vatican attack

Pope Leo XIV on Saturday (April 18) &nbsp;said he regretted that his recent remarks were interpreted as a response to criticism from Donald Trump, stressing that he has no interest in engaging in a public debate with the US President.&nbsp;Speaking to journalists while travelling during his Africa tour, Leo said a speech he delivered in Cameroon, referring to “tyrants” ransacking the world, had been misread. The address, delivered on Thursday in Bamenda, had drawn attention amid ongoing tensions and was widely interpreted, particularly in US media, as an indirect reference to Trump.&nbsp;Clarifying his stand, the Pope said the remarks had been prepared well before Trump’s recent criticism of him.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The remarks were written before his comment on me and on the message of peace that I am promoting,” Leo said, adding that it was unfortunate the speech was perceived as an attempt to provoke a debate. “It was interpreted as if I were trying to start a new debate with the president, which doesn’t interest me at all,” he said.&nbsp;Leo also pointed to what he described as a distorted narrative around his comments, saying “Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary, trying to interpret what has been said,” he noted, adding that “there’s been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects”.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-five-dead-in-kyiv-attack-gunman-killed-after-hostage-situation-1776530541273">At least five dead in Kyiv attack, gunman killed after hostage situation</a>&nbsp;The original remarks were made during a high-security visit to Bamenda, a region affected by a long-running English-speaking separatist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives. In that context, Leo had criticised global leaders he described as “tyrants”.&nbsp;The clarification comes after Trump publicly criticised the Pope on April 12, saying he was “not a big fan of Pope Leo” and accusing him of being soft on issues related to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Trump later reiterated his stance on social media, stating, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” and calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.”

The clarification comes after Trump publicly criticised the Pope on April 12, saying he was “not a big fan of Pope Leo” and accusing him of being soft on issues related to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Pope Leo XIV on Saturday (April 18) said he regretted that his recent remarks were interpreted as a response to criticism from Donald Trump, stressing that he has no interest in engaging in a public debate with the US President. Speaking to journalists while travelling during his Africa tour, Leo said a speech he delivered in Cameroon, referring to “tyrants” ransacking the world, had been misread. The address, delivered on Thursday in Bamenda, had drawn attention amid ongoing tensions and was widely interpreted, particularly in US media, as an indirect reference to Trump. Clarifying his stand, the Pope said the remarks had been prepared well before Trump’s recent criticism of him. “The remarks were written before his comment on me and on the message of peace that I am promoting,” Leo said, adding that it was unfortunate the speech was perceived as an attempt to provoke a debate. “It was interpreted as if I were trying to start a new debate with the president, which doesn’t interest me at all,” he said. Leo also pointed to what he described as a distorted narrative around his comments, saying “Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary, trying to interpret what has been said,” he noted, adding that “there’s been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects”. Also Read: At least five dead in Kyiv attack, gunman killed after hostage situation The original remarks were made during a high-security visit to Bamenda, a region affected by a long-running English-speaking separatist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives. In that context, Leo had criticised global leaders he described as “tyrants”. The clarification comes after Trump publicly criticised the Pope on April 12, saying he was “not a big fan of Pope Leo” and accusing him of being soft on issues related to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Trump later reiterated his stance on social media, stating, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” and calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.”

The clarification comes after Trump publicly criticised the Pope on April 12, saying he was “not a big fan of Pope Leo” and accusing him of being soft on issues related to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Pope Leo XIV clarifies ‘tyrants’ remark, says no interest in debating Trump

The verbal crossfire between the White House and the Holy See reached a fever pitch this Monday (Apr 13) as Pope Leo XIV issued a defiant response to President Donald Trump’s recent accusations. Speaking to journalists aboard the papal plane en route to Algiers, the first American Pontiff addressed the president’s labeling of his leadership as "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy" with a clarity that signalled a historic rift in US-Vatican relations.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/giant-radio-telescope-spots-rare-megamaser-8-billion-light-years-away-1776103168932/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/giant-radio-telescope-spots-rare-megamaser-8-billion-light-years-away-1776103168932/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;The Pope said, “I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel.” He effectively established a clear distinction as he continued, "We are not politicians. We don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker."&nbsp;The friction, which has been simmering since the escalation of the US-Iran conflict, exploded after Trump’s Sunday (Apr 12) statement on social media. The president’s critique was not merely political; it was personal, contrasting Leo XIV with his brother, Louis, a staunch MAGA supporter and accusing the Church of failing to protect its flock during the COVID-19 pandemic. By invoking the "fear" priests felt during lockdown, Trump attempted to paint the Pope as a leader out of touch with his own institution’s struggles. The US president wrote, “I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn't! I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-desecration-of-peace-iran-joins-vatican-in-slamming-trump-s-attack-on-pope-leo-1776100388770">‘Desecration of peace’: Iran joins Vatican in slamming Trump’s attack on Pope Leo</a>&nbsp;However, the Vatican’s response suggests a strategic shift. By leaning into his identity as a "peacemaker," Pope Leo XIV is positioning the Holy See as the primary global alternative to the "America First" kinetic strategy. While Washington reinforces its naval blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, the Pope is embarking on an 11-day journey through Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.&nbsp;Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, further contextualised this stance during a briefing at the Holy See Press Office. He emphasised that the Pope’s mission is one of "solidarity with a continent that bears the brunt of global indifference."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pope Leo XIV defies Donald Trump’s 'weak' slur, declaring 'no fear' of the administration as he begins a landmark Africa tour. 

The verbal crossfire between the White House and the Holy See reached a fever pitch this Monday (Apr 13) as Pope Leo XIV issued a defiant response to President Donald Trump’s recent accusations. Speaking to journalists aboard the papal plane en route to Algiers, the first American Pontiff addressed the president’s labeling of his leadership as "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy" with a clarity that signalled a historic rift in US-Vatican relations. https://www.wionews.com/videos/giant-radio-telescope-spots-rare-megamaser-8-billion-light-years-away-1776103168932/embed The Pope said, “I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel.” He effectively established a clear distinction as he continued, "We are not politicians. We don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker." The friction, which has been simmering since the escalation of the US-Iran conflict, exploded after Trump’s Sunday (Apr 12) statement on social media. The president’s critique was not merely political; it was personal, contrasting Leo XIV with his brother, Louis, a staunch MAGA supporter and accusing the Church of failing to protect its flock during the COVID-19 pandemic. By invoking the "fear" priests felt during lockdown, Trump attempted to paint the Pope as a leader out of touch with his own institution’s struggles. The US president wrote, “I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn't! I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” Also read: ‘Desecration of peace’: Iran joins Vatican in slamming Trump’s attack on Pope Leo However, the Vatican’s response suggests a strategic shift. By leaning into his identity as a "peacemaker," Pope Leo XIV is positioning the Holy See as the primary global alternative to the "America First" kinetic strategy. While Washington reinforces its naval blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, the Pope is embarking on an 11-day journey through Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, further contextualised this stance during a briefing at the Holy See Press Office. He emphasised that the Pope’s mission is one of "solidarity with a continent that bears the brunt of global indifference."

Pope Leo XIV defies Donald Trump’s 'weak' slur, declaring 'no fear' of the administration as he begins a landmark Africa tour.&nbsp;

'No fear of Trump administration': Pope Leo's straight and clear message for Trump

A senior Vatican official on Monday (Apr 13) issued a measured but firm response to recent criticisms made by US President Donald Trump regarding Pope Leo XIV, just days before the Pontiff is scheduled to begin a landmark apostolic journey across the African continent. The friction follows comments made by President Trump on Sunday (Apr 12), where he questioned the Pope’s diplomatic stance on global economic equity and migration—themes expected to centralise the Holy See’s African tour. Trump wrote, "Pope Leo is WEAK on crime and terrible for foreign policy. He talks about "fear" of the Trump administration but doesn't mention the fear that the Catholic Church and all other Christian organisations had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding church services, even when going outside and being ten and even twenty feet apart."&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-hezbollah-war-lebanese-pm-nawaf-salam-vows-to-end-war-1776075297888/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-hezbollah-war-lebanese-pm-nawaf-salam-vows-to-end-war-1776075297888/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;And went on to say, “I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn't! I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-military-reveals-iran-naval-blockade-plan-after-trump-s-announcement-full-details-inside-1776088399678">US military reveals Iran naval blockade plan after Trump’s announcement, full details inside</a>&nbsp;Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, addressed the remarks during a press briefing held at the Holy See Press Office. "The Holy Father is motivated by the Gospel and the lived reality of the world’s most vulnerable populations," Archbishop Gallagher stated. “His upcoming visit to Africa is an mission of peace and solidarity. It is not a political statement against any one administration, but a spiritual commitment to a continent that often bears the brunt of global indifference,” he added.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-i-don-t-want-a-pope-who-criticises-president-of-us-trump-targets-pope-leo-over-his-iran-war-remark-1776051554636">'Weak on crime, terrible on foreign policy': Trump targets Pope Leo over his Iran war remark</a>&nbsp;The Archbishop emphasised that Pope Leo XIV’s criticisms of "unbridled consumerism" and "environmental neglect" were universal moral appeals rather than targeted political attacks. He noted that the Vatican remains open to dialogue with the United States, but it will not change its message to align with the prevailing political climate in Washington.&nbsp;Observers view the Pope's Africa tour, which includes stops in Nairobi, Kinshasa, and Luanda, as a pivotal moment in his papacy. He is expected to address the escalating debt crisis facing developing nations and the urgent need for a ceasefire in regional conflicts. Diplomatic observers suggest that the public spat underscores a growing ideological divide between the White House’s "America First" posture and the Vatican’s "Culture of Encounter."&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite the rhetoric, Vatican officials confirmed that logistical cooperation between U.S. security details and local authorities in Africa remains "professional and ongoing," ensuring the safety of the Pontiff's high-profile visit. As the Pope prepares to depart, the Holy See appears determined to keep the focus on the African people rather than the escalating war of words with Washington.&nbsp;

President Trump slams Pope Leo XIV as 'weak' over his opposition to the U.S.-Iran war. Read the Vatican's direct response as the first American Pope declares 'no fear' while embarking on a high-stakes mission to Africa.

A senior Vatican official on Monday (Apr 13) issued a measured but firm response to recent criticisms made by US President Donald Trump regarding Pope Leo XIV, just days before the Pontiff is scheduled to begin a landmark apostolic journey across the African continent. The friction follows comments made by President Trump on Sunday (Apr 12), where he questioned the Pope’s diplomatic stance on global economic equity and migration—themes expected to centralise the Holy See’s African tour. Trump wrote, "Pope Leo is WEAK on crime and terrible for foreign policy. He talks about "fear" of the Trump administration but doesn't mention the fear that the Catholic Church and all other Christian organisations had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding church services, even when going outside and being ten and even twenty feet apart." https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-hezbollah-war-lebanese-pm-nawaf-salam-vows-to-end-war-1776075297888/embed And went on to say, “I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn't! I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” Also read: US military reveals Iran naval blockade plan after Trump’s announcement, full details inside Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, addressed the remarks during a press briefing held at the Holy See Press Office. "The Holy Father is motivated by the Gospel and the lived reality of the world’s most vulnerable populations," Archbishop Gallagher stated. “His upcoming visit to Africa is an mission of peace and solidarity. It is not a political statement against any one administration, but a spiritual commitment to a continent that often bears the brunt of global indifference,” he added. Also read: 'Weak on crime, terrible on foreign policy': Trump targets Pope Leo over his Iran war remark The Archbishop emphasised that Pope Leo XIV’s criticisms of "unbridled consumerism" and "environmental neglect" were universal moral appeals rather than targeted political attacks. He noted that the Vatican remains open to dialogue with the United States, but it will not change its message to align with the prevailing political climate in Washington. Observers view the Pope's Africa tour, which includes stops in Nairobi, Kinshasa, and Luanda, as a pivotal moment in his papacy. He is expected to address the escalating debt crisis facing developing nations and the urgent need for a ceasefire in regional conflicts. Diplomatic observers suggest that the public spat underscores a growing ideological divide between the White House’s "America First" posture and the Vatican’s "Culture of Encounter." Despite the rhetoric, Vatican officials confirmed that logistical cooperation between U.S. security details and local authorities in Africa remains "professional and ongoing," ensuring the safety of the Pontiff's high-profile visit. As the Pope prepares to depart, the Holy See appears determined to keep the focus on the African people rather than the escalating war of words with Washington.

President Trump slams Pope Leo XIV as 'weak' over his opposition to the U.S.-Iran war. Read the Vatican's direct response as the first American Pope declares 'no fear' while embarking on a high-stakes mission to Africa.

'Pope Leo is WEAK' says Trump to which Vatican responds

As the United States butts heads with Iran in a conflict that has consumed the world for weeks now, it has been engaged in another conflict with the Vatican. A new report suggests that the Pentagon issued a warning to the church and complained about a speech given by Pope Leo that it believed was an attack on President Donald Trump. The Free Press reported that things have been rocky between the White House and Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born Pope. It states that the Pentagon invited the Holy See ambassador to the US, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, to talk about a speech delivered by the Pope in January this year. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby complained to Cardinal Pierre and apparently issued a stern warning that the “Church had better take its side." Other officials also invoked the 14th-century Avignon Papacy, during which time the Church was under the control of the French monarchy.&nbsp;“America has the military power to do whatever it wants in the world. The Catholic Church had better take its side,” Colby reportedly said, according to Free Press. The officials also mentioned the Avignon Papacy, which was seen as a historical warning of what happens when the Papacy opposes a dominant world power. On January 9, Pope Leo XIV said during an annual address, "a diplomacy that promotes dialogue and seeks consensus among all parties is being replaced by a diplomacy based on force.” It was widely interpreted to be targeted at Trump and his aggressive foreign policy of sanctions and coercion, also being called the Donroe Doctrine. When Trump issued his “wipe out an entire civilization” remark earlier this week, the Pope condemned it as "truly unacceptable". Pope Leo XIV has also often criticised the Trump administration’s "inhuman treatment of immigrants.”<h2>JD Vance reacts to Pentagon's threat to the Vatican report</h2>A public "war of words" has also been going on between Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pope Leo XIV. On March 26, 2026, he led a Pentagon prayer service where he reportedly prayed for "overwhelming violence of action" against adversaries. Pope Leo XIV responded by saying that God "rejects war" and "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage it." Vice President JD Vance was asked about the reported threat to the Vatican, and he has said that he will review the matter. &nbsp;

A report states that the Pentagon threatened the Vatican with military action after Pope Leo XIV said things in a speech that were believed to be targeted at Donald Trump. “Church had better take its side", an official reportedly said.

As the United States butts heads with Iran in a conflict that has consumed the world for weeks now, it has been engaged in another conflict with the Vatican. A new report suggests that the Pentagon issued a warning to the church and complained about a speech given by Pope Leo that it believed was an attack on President Donald Trump. The Free Press reported that things have been rocky between the White House and Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born Pope. It states that the Pentagon invited the Holy See ambassador to the US, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, to talk about a speech delivered by the Pope in January this year. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby complained to Cardinal Pierre and apparently issued a stern warning that the “Church had better take its side." Other officials also invoked the 14th-century Avignon Papacy, during which time the Church was under the control of the French monarchy. “America has the military power to do whatever it wants in the world. The Catholic Church had better take its side,” Colby reportedly said, according to Free Press. The officials also mentioned the Avignon Papacy, which was seen as a historical warning of what happens when the Papacy opposes a dominant world power. On January 9, Pope Leo XIV said during an annual address, "a diplomacy that promotes dialogue and seeks consensus among all parties is being replaced by a diplomacy based on force.” It was widely interpreted to be targeted at Trump and his aggressive foreign policy of sanctions and coercion, also being called the Donroe Doctrine. When Trump issued his “wipe out an entire civilization” remark earlier this week, the Pope condemned it as "truly unacceptable". Pope Leo XIV has also often criticised the Trump administration’s "inhuman treatment of immigrants.” JD Vance reacts to Pentagon's threat to the Vatican report A public "war of words" has also been going on between Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pope Leo XIV. On March 26, 2026, he led a Pentagon prayer service where he reportedly prayed for "overwhelming violence of action" against adversaries. Pope Leo XIV responded by saying that God "rejects war" and "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage it." Vice President JD Vance was asked about the reported threat to the Vatican, and he has said that he will review the matter.

A report states that the Pentagon threatened the Vatican with military action after Pope Leo XIV said things in a speech that were believed to be targeted at Donald Trump. “Church had better take its side", an official reportedly said.

'Church had better take its side': Did Trump officials threaten Vatican? Report claims...

Pope Leo XIV marked a significant moment in his papacy by celebrating the first Good Friday service of his pontificate at the Vatican, leading solemn prayers and reflections commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The service drew thousands of faithful and clergy, highlighting themes of sacrifice, peace, and compassion during Holy Week, one of the most important periods in the Christian calendar.


Pope Leo XIV Celebrates 1st Good Friday Service of His Pontificate 

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has urged Americans to pray ‘every day, on bended knee’ for a military victory in the Middle East ‘in the name of Jesus Christ’. However, Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born pontiff, has expressed a sharply contrasting perspective on invoking faith in times of war. During a homily at a Mass ahead of Easter, the pope said the Christian mission has often been ‘distorted by a desire for domination, entirely foreign to the way of Jesus Christ’.&nbsp;Since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran in late February, Pope Leo has repeatedly called for an end to the violence and a return to dialogue. Without directly naming Hegseth, he has also warned against using Christianity in ways that conflict with Catholic teachings. Speaking during a Holy Thursday service at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, he said, “We tend to consider ourselves powerful when we dominate, victorious when we destroy our equals, great when we are feared.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-tehran-downs-f-15e-a-10-warthog-crashes-in-persian-gulf-pilot-rescued-1775243842521">After Tehran downs F-15E, A-10 Warthog crashes in Persian Gulf; pilot rescued</a>&nbsp;He added, “God has given us an example, not of how to dominate, but of how to liberate; not of how to destroy life, but of how to give it.” In a separate homily in late March, the pope warned against invoking Jesus in support of war, stating that Jesus “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.”&nbsp;Throughout his papacy, Leo has largely avoided direct involvement in US politics or confrontation with the White House. Instead, he has often communicated his views indirectly, including encouraging US bishops to support immigrants during President Trump’s deportation push. When asked directly about Trump, the pope said, “I’m told that President Trump recently said that he would like to end the war.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/artemis-ii-edges-closer-to-the-moon-s-far-side-1775237386847/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/artemis-ii-edges-closer-to-the-moon-s-far-side-1775237386847/embed</a>&nbsp;He added, “Hopefully he’s looking for a way to, to decrease the amount of violence, of bombing.” The pope has confirmed he has not spoken directly with Trump regarding the conflict. However, he did hold a phone call on Friday with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, during which he reiterated the importance of dialogue and the need to end hostilities to achieve a ‘just and lasting peace’ in the Middle East, according to a Vatican statement.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Pete Hegseth invokes Jesus in war. Pope Leo XIV says that’s not Christ’s way

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has urged Americans to pray ‘every day, on bended knee’ for a military victory in the Middle East ‘in the name of Jesus Christ’. However, Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born pontiff, has expressed a sharply contrasting perspective on invoking faith in times of war. During a homily at a Mass ahead of Easter, the pope said the Christian mission has often been ‘distorted by a desire for domination, entirely foreign to the way of Jesus Christ’. Since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran in late February, Pope Leo has repeatedly called for an end to the violence and a return to dialogue. Without directly naming Hegseth, he has also warned against using Christianity in ways that conflict with Catholic teachings. Speaking during a Holy Thursday service at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, he said, “We tend to consider ourselves powerful when we dominate, victorious when we destroy our equals, great when we are feared.” Also Read: After Tehran downs F-15E, A-10 Warthog crashes in Persian Gulf; pilot rescued He added, “God has given us an example, not of how to dominate, but of how to liberate; not of how to destroy life, but of how to give it.” In a separate homily in late March, the pope warned against invoking Jesus in support of war, stating that Jesus “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.” Throughout his papacy, Leo has largely avoided direct involvement in US politics or confrontation with the White House. Instead, he has often communicated his views indirectly, including encouraging US bishops to support immigrants during President Trump’s deportation push. When asked directly about Trump, the pope said, “I’m told that President Trump recently said that he would like to end the war.” https://www.wionews.com/videos/artemis-ii-edges-closer-to-the-moon-s-far-side-1775237386847/embed He added, “Hopefully he’s looking for a way to, to decrease the amount of violence, of bombing.” The pope has confirmed he has not spoken directly with Trump regarding the conflict. However, he did hold a phone call on Friday with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, during which he reiterated the importance of dialogue and the need to end hostilities to achieve a ‘just and lasting peace’ in the Middle East, according to a Vatican statement. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Pope Leo XIV urges peace and rejects war rhetoric in Jesus’ name, contrasting with US calls for prayer for military victory in the Middle East

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to the message of Pope Leo XIV, who condemned the use of religion to justify war. Karoline Leavitt defended the US President and military leaders, saying that there is nothing wrong to call US people to pray for the service member. She asserted that “it is a noble thing to do.” This comes as a response to the statement of Pope Leo XIV that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.”Defending Karoline Leavitt, he said, “I think our nation was a nation founded, 250 years ago almost, on Judeo-Christian values. And we’ve seen presidents, we’ve seen the leaders of the Department of War, and we’ve seen our troops go to prayer during the most turbulent times in our nation’s history.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ghalibaf-trump-fake-news-iran-us-war-warning-1774953677005">Iran's Ghalibaf slams Trump calls pre-market 'news' a 'pump' and 'dump' scheme</a>Leo said that Christ did not engage in any war, nor did he defend himself. &nbsp;"This is our God... A God who refuses war... who does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war," said Pope Leo during Palm Sunday homily. The 70-year-old pontiff had been cautious with his statement; he did not mention any leaders but expressed desire for peace and concern for Christian lives. He said that more than a million people had been forced to flee their homes and urged the warring parties to engage in peace.&nbsp;US officials have been accused of invoking religious language in support of the military campaign. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a prayer service on Pentagon, reportedly called for “overwhelming violence of action” against US enemies. A similar rhetoric is being used by Russia by framing the war in Ukraine as a “Holy War” against Western corruption. The same is also being used in Israel, where a faction of Jewish believers are looking forward to the return of the messiah, a future Jewish King and a direct descendant of King David. Ironically, each of the three Abrahamic religion has almost similar eschatology where there is a return of Christ/ Isa and the twelfth Imam Mahdi to defeat the Antichrist/Dajjal in the war of Gog and Magog. &nbsp;

White House defends Trump’s call to pray for US troops after Pope Leo XIV condemns using religion to justify war, urging peace amid global conflicts.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to the message of Pope Leo XIV, who condemned the use of religion to justify war. Karoline Leavitt defended the US President and military leaders, saying that there is nothing wrong to call US people to pray for the service member. She asserted that “it is a noble thing to do.” This comes as a response to the statement of Pope Leo XIV that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.” Defending Karoline Leavitt, he said, “I think our nation was a nation founded, 250 years ago almost, on Judeo-Christian values. And we’ve seen presidents, we’ve seen the leaders of the Department of War, and we’ve seen our troops go to prayer during the most turbulent times in our nation’s history.” Also Read: Iran's Ghalibaf slams Trump calls pre-market 'news' a 'pump' and 'dump' scheme Leo said that Christ did not engage in any war, nor did he defend himself. "This is our God... A God who refuses war... who does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war," said Pope Leo during Palm Sunday homily. The 70-year-old pontiff had been cautious with his statement; he did not mention any leaders but expressed desire for peace and concern for Christian lives. He said that more than a million people had been forced to flee their homes and urged the warring parties to engage in peace. US officials have been accused of invoking religious language in support of the military campaign. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a prayer service on Pentagon, reportedly called for “overwhelming violence of action” against US enemies. A similar rhetoric is being used by Russia by framing the war in Ukraine as a “Holy War” against Western corruption. The same is also being used in Israel, where a faction of Jewish believers are looking forward to the return of the messiah, a future Jewish King and a direct descendant of King David. Ironically, each of the three Abrahamic religion has almost similar eschatology where there is a return of Christ/ Isa and the twelfth Imam Mahdi to defeat the Antichrist/Dajjal in the war of Gog and Magog.

White House defends Trump’s call to pray for US troops after Pope Leo XIV condemns using religion to justify war, urging peace amid global conflicts.

Karoline Leavitt defends Donald Trump amid Pope Leo XIV criticism over prayer and war

The Vatican has formally declined an invitation to join US President Donald Trump’s proposed "Board of Peace," signalling unease over the structure and scope of the new initiative. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State and its top diplomat, confirmed Tuesday (Feb 10) that Pope Leo XIV would not participate in Trump's board touted by the POTUS as a shot at "GREATNESS FOR ALL.". The decision comes after the pontiff was invited last month to take part in the board, which was initially conceived to oversee reconstruction efforts in Gaza but has since expanded into a broader global peace body.<h2>Vatican expresses concern over the UN's role</h2>Speaking to reporters after an event marking the anniversary of the Lateran Pacts, Cardinal Parolin said the Vatican was left "perplexed" by certain elements of the proposal and said that "critical issues" still need to be resolved. He emphasised that crisis management at the international level should remain under the authority of the United Nations.One of the points on which they have insisted, Parolin said, "is that at the international level it should above all be the UN that manages these crisis situations. This is one of the points on which we have insisted".<h2>Board of Peace under Trump's control</h2>The board, chaired indefinitely by Trump, would reportedly allow the president to appoint members, shape the agenda, and oversee finances. That structure has drawn concern from several governments and diplomats who fear it could sideline existing international mechanisms.Britain, France and Norway have also declined invitations, while Italy and the European Union have indicated they may participate only as observers. Meanwhile, war criminal Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, sometimes referred to as 'Europe's last dictator', have been invited to join.<h2>White House pushback</h2>The White House described the Vatican’s decision as "deeply unfortunate," with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt slamming the pontiff's refusal to join the Board of Peace, saying peace efforts should not become "partisan or political."Defending the board as a legitimate international body with broad participation. "This is a legitimate organization where there are tens of member countries from around the world, and we think that’s an unfortunate decision," she said.The board is expected to hold its first meeting in Washington this week.

The Vatican has turned down UD President Donald Trump's invitation for American Pope Leo to join the Gaza Board of Peace. This has led White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to hit back at the pontiff. Here's the reason behind the Vatican's snub.

The Vatican has formally declined an invitation to join US President Donald Trump’s proposed "Board of Peace," signalling unease over the structure and scope of the new initiative. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State and its top diplomat, confirmed Tuesday (Feb 10) that Pope Leo XIV would not participate in Trump's board touted by the POTUS as a shot at "GREATNESS FOR ALL.". The decision comes after the pontiff was invited last month to take part in the board, which was initially conceived to oversee reconstruction efforts in Gaza but has since expanded into a broader global peace body. Vatican expresses concern over the UN's role Speaking to reporters after an event marking the anniversary of the Lateran Pacts, Cardinal Parolin said the Vatican was left "perplexed" by certain elements of the proposal and said that "critical issues" still need to be resolved. He emphasised that crisis management at the international level should remain under the authority of the United Nations. One of the points on which they have insisted, Parolin said, "is that at the international level it should above all be the UN that manages these crisis situations. This is one of the points on which we have insisted". Board of Peace under Trump's control The board, chaired indefinitely by Trump, would reportedly allow the president to appoint members, shape the agenda, and oversee finances. That structure has drawn concern from several governments and diplomats who fear it could sideline existing international mechanisms. Britain, France and Norway have also declined invitations, while Italy and the European Union have indicated they may participate only as observers. Meanwhile, war criminal Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, sometimes referred to as 'Europe's last dictator', have been invited to join. White House pushback The White House described the Vatican’s decision as "deeply unfortunate," with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt slamming the pontiff's refusal to join the Board of Peace, saying peace efforts should not become "partisan or political." Defending the board as a legitimate international body with broad participation. "This is a legitimate organization where there are tens of member countries from around the world, and we think that’s an unfortunate decision," she said. The board is expected to hold its first meeting in Washington this week.

The Vatican has turned down UD President Donald Trump's invitation for American Pope Leo to join the Gaza Board of Peace. This has led White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to hit back at the pontiff. Here's the reason behind the Vatican's snub.

Vatican snubs Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace invitation over governance concerns; Leavitt hits back at Pope

Pope Leo met Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mario Corina Machado on Monday (Jan 23). Machado sought Pope's support for the democratic transition in Venezuela after the United States captured deposed president Nicolas Maduro in a nighttime raid in Caracas. The Vatican, &nbsp;however, did not provide any further details on the meetings while Machado's name was listed among the pope's appointments for the day.&nbsp;The Nobel laureate urged Pope Leo to "intercede" on behalf of over thousands of political prisoners in her country "I asked him to intercede for all Venezuelans who remain kidnapped and disappeared," Machado said after the meeting, which came just over a week after the US military ouster of long-term authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro.&nbsp;"With the accompaniment of the Church and the unprecedented pressure from the United States Government, the defeat of evil in the country is closer," she added in a statement posted to X by her team.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nobel-prize-cannot-be-shared-or-transferred-committee-after-machado-s-offer-to-give-her-award-to-trump-1768062840005">Nobel Prize cannot be shared or transferred: Committee after Machado’s offer to give her award to Trump</a>&nbsp;Machado's Vatican visit is part of her broader diplomatic outreach to seek global support for the democratic transition in Venezuela amid political turmoil in the country.&nbsp;On Friday, Pope Leo XIV, the first pope of US origins, criticised the use of military force as a tool to achieve diplomatic goals and called for the protection of human rights in Venezuela. He called for the country to remain independent after the capture of Maduro at the order of US President Trump.&nbsp;Machado, who is due to visit Washington, thanked US President Trump for capturing Nicolas Maduro and offered to share her Nobel Peace Prize with Donald Trump.&nbsp;The Norwegian Nobel Committee, however, stated that a Peace Prize can not be "shared, revoked and transferred once it is awarded to someone. "A Nobel Prize can neither be revoked, shared, nor transferred to others. Once the announcement has been made, the decision stands for all time," the Nobel Committee's statement read.

In a major foreign policy speech on Friday, the Pope criticised the use of military force as a tool to achieve diplomatic objectives and called for the protection of human rights in Venezuela.

Pope Leo met Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mario Corina Machado on Monday (Jan 23). Machado sought Pope's support for the democratic transition in Venezuela after the United States captured deposed president Nicolas Maduro in a nighttime raid in Caracas. The Vatican, however, did not provide any further details on the meetings while Machado's name was listed among the pope's appointments for the day. The Nobel laureate urged Pope Leo to "intercede" on behalf of over thousands of political prisoners in her country "I asked him to intercede for all Venezuelans who remain kidnapped and disappeared," Machado said after the meeting, which came just over a week after the US military ouster of long-term authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro. "With the accompaniment of the Church and the unprecedented pressure from the United States Government, the defeat of evil in the country is closer," she added in a statement posted to X by her team. Also Read: Nobel Prize cannot be shared or transferred: Committee after Machado’s offer to give her award to Trump Machado's Vatican visit is part of her broader diplomatic outreach to seek global support for the democratic transition in Venezuela amid political turmoil in the country. On Friday, Pope Leo XIV, the first pope of US origins, criticised the use of military force as a tool to achieve diplomatic goals and called for the protection of human rights in Venezuela. He called for the country to remain independent after the capture of Maduro at the order of US President Trump. Machado, who is due to visit Washington, thanked US President Trump for capturing Nicolas Maduro and offered to share her Nobel Peace Prize with Donald Trump. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, however, stated that a Peace Prize can not be "shared, revoked and transferred once it is awarded to someone. "A Nobel Prize can neither be revoked, shared, nor transferred to others. Once the announcement has been made, the decision stands for all time," the Nobel Committee's statement read.

In a major foreign policy speech on Friday, the Pope criticised the use of military force as a tool to achieve diplomatic objectives and called for the protection of human rights in Venezuela.

Venezuela’s Machado meets Pope Leo, seeks support for release of political prisoners

More than 700,000 people crowded St. Peter’s Square in Rome this month to witness a moment that might sound straight out of fiction — the canonisation of a former Satanic priest. On 19 Oct 2025, Pope Leo XIV officially declared Bartolo Longo, along with six others, a saint of the Catholic Church. For the faithful, it was a celebration of redemption. For everyone else, it was a reminder that some of the Church's most powerful stories begin in darkness.<h2>Who was Saint Bartolo Longo?</h2>Born in 1841 in Latiano, Italy, Bartolo Longo trained as a lawyer. After his father's death, Longo lost faith and turned toward the occult, engaging in extreme practices including fasting and even making a pact with the devil. According to Daily Mail, he plunged into séances, and was even "ordained" as a Satanic priest — until one night, he heard what he believed was his dead father’s voice: "Return to God."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/fact-check-did-obama-spend-376-million-to-build-a-basketball-court-at-the-white-house-1761638839164">Fact Check: Did Obama spend $376 million to build a basketball court at the White House?</a>Terrified, Longo confided in a close friend, Professor Vincenzo Pepe, who was appalled at how far he’d gone into Satanism. Pepe, as per the report, warned him that he was heading toward madness. These words reportedly jolted Longo into seeking help from a Dominican priest, Father Alberto Radente. What followed was a month-long process of confession and repentance that transformed his life. Longo renounced Satanism, took a vow of celibacy, and threw himself into service.<h2>Why was the former Satanic priest given sainthood?</h2>Bartolo Longo would then dedicate six years of his life to charitable work before taking a vow as a lay Dominican on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. He later founded the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii, built orphanages for the children of prisoners, and spent years working with the poor and sick. He became known for walking the streets preaching against spiritualism. He even attended what was his last séance, where he declared, "I renounce spiritualism; it is nothing but a web of lies and deception."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/trump-says-becoming-vp-to-return-to-white-house-would-be-too-cute-but-insists-i-d-be-allowed-to-1761632934601">Trump says becoming VP to return to White House would be 'too cute' but insists 'I’d be allowed to'. Watch</a>He died in 1926, remembered not for his sins but for his conversion — a man who went from invoking demons to building one of Italy’s most visited places of prayer. At his canonisation on October 19, Pope Leo said, "Today we have before us seven witnesses, the new Saints, who, with God's grace, kept the lamp of faith burning".

More than 700,000 people gathered at St. Peter’s Square to witness Pope Leo XIV canonise Bartolo Longo — once a Satanic priest, now a Catholic saint. Here's his wild story. 

More than 700,000 people crowded St. Peter’s Square in Rome this month to witness a moment that might sound straight out of fiction — the canonisation of a former Satanic priest. On 19 Oct 2025, Pope Leo XIV officially declared Bartolo Longo, along with six others, a saint of the Catholic Church. For the faithful, it was a celebration of redemption. For everyone else, it was a reminder that some of the Church's most powerful stories begin in darkness. Who was Saint Bartolo Longo? Born in 1841 in Latiano, Italy, Bartolo Longo trained as a lawyer. After his father's death, Longo lost faith and turned toward the occult, engaging in extreme practices including fasting and even making a pact with the devil. According to Daily Mail, he plunged into séances, and was even "ordained" as a Satanic priest — until one night, he heard what he believed was his dead father’s voice: "Return to God." Also read | Fact Check: Did Obama spend $376 million to build a basketball court at the White House? Terrified, Longo confided in a close friend, Professor Vincenzo Pepe, who was appalled at how far he’d gone into Satanism. Pepe, as per the report, warned him that he was heading toward madness. These words reportedly jolted Longo into seeking help from a Dominican priest, Father Alberto Radente. What followed was a month-long process of confession and repentance that transformed his life. Longo renounced Satanism, took a vow of celibacy, and threw himself into service. Why was the former Satanic priest given sainthood? Bartolo Longo would then dedicate six years of his life to charitable work before taking a vow as a lay Dominican on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. He later founded the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii, built orphanages for the children of prisoners, and spent years working with the poor and sick. He became known for walking the streets preaching against spiritualism. He even attended what was his last séance, where he declared, "I renounce spiritualism; it is nothing but a web of lies and deception." Also read | Trump says becoming VP to return to White House would be 'too cute' but insists 'I’d be allowed to'. Watch He died in 1926, remembered not for his sins but for his conversion — a man who went from invoking demons to building one of Italy’s most visited places of prayer. At his canonisation on October 19, Pope Leo said, "Today we have before us seven witnesses, the new Saints, who, with God's grace, kept the lamp of faith burning".

More than 700,000 people gathered at St. Peter’s Square to witness Pope Leo XIV canonise Bartolo Longo — once a Satanic priest, now a Catholic saint. Here's his wild story.&nbsp;

From demon worshipper, to a man of God: Vatican makes former Satanic priest a Saint — The wild story of Bartolo Longo

Survivors of sex abuse by members of the Catholic clergy have expressed hope after meeting Pope Leo at the Vatican for the first time.

Pope Leo Meets With Global Group of Clergy Abuse Survivors To Talk Zero Tolerance

Pope Leo XIV has made headlines for blessing a chunk of ice. Yes, you read that right, the leader of the Catholic Church was caught on camera blessing a chunk of frozen water. Why would a religious leader of such high stature do something that seems so bizarre, you may wonder. The answer is to raise awareness about climate change. The chunk of ice he blessed was actually a chunk of the Greenland glacier. Blessing the piece of glacier at the “Raising Hope for Climate Justice” conference near Rome, Pope Leo called on world leaders to act boldly against climate change. He was then joined by actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and other attendees in waving a blue tarp around the ice, a ritual meant to draw attention to environmental urgency.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-blatant-act-of-desperation-greta-thunberg-activists-detained-as-israeli-navy-stops-gaza-aid-flotilla-1759372426305">‘Blatant act of desperation’: Greta Thunberg, activists detained as Israeli navy stops Gaza aid flotilla. Watch video</a><h2>Pope takes a dig at Trump</h2>Speaking at the conference, the Pontiff said, “We will raise hope by demanding that leaders act with courage, not delay. Will you join with us?”. He also slammed those who dismiss the science of global warming, echoing the stance of his predecessor, Pope Francis. “Some have chosen to deride the increasingly evident signs of climate change, to ridicule those who speak of global warming, and even to blame the poor for the very thing that affects them the most,” he said in what was an apparent dig at US President Donald Trump.Watch video here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">You know just when you think it can&#39;t get anymore ridiculous something comes up that shows you it can and will. Here&#39;s Pope Leo &quot;blessing&quot; a block of ice in the fight against climate change. <a href="https://t.co/Ww5r9d2BcG">pic.twitter.com/Ww5r9d2BcG</a>&mdash; Vision4theBlind (@Vision4theBlind) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vision4theBlind/status/1973550487409664028?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The event marked the tenth anniversary of Francis’s landmark document on climate and environmental responsibility, Laudato Si’, which helped set the tone for the 2015 Paris climate agreement.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/pakistan-army-chief-or-shopkeeper-asim-munir-ridiculed-for-rare-earth-minerals-photo-op-with-trump-watch-1759380620882">Pakistan Army chief or shopkeeper? Asim Munir ridiculed for rare earth minerals photo-op with Trump. Watch</a><h2>Cannot love god and hate his creatures</h2>Pope Leo used the occasion to highlight the intersection of environmental and social responsibility, saying, “We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures," he said, adding, "Nor can we call ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ without participating in his outlook on creation and his care for all that is fragile and wounded.”His remarks came days after US President Donald Trump called climate change a “con” at the UN General Assembly, dismissing renewable energy initiatives. <h2>Pope ridiculed for blessing ice</h2>The blessing drew both admiration and ridicule online. Some conservatives mocked the ritual as “pagan earth worship,” while others questioned the appropriateness of a Pope engaging in symbolic environmental acts. Schwarzenegger praised the pontiff as a real-world “action hero” for taking a visible stand on the climate crisis.

Pope Leo XIV blessed a chunk of Greenland ice at a Rome climate summit, sparking both praise and ridicule. Here's why he did this..

Pope Leo XIV has made headlines for blessing a chunk of ice. Yes, you read that right, the leader of the Catholic Church was caught on camera blessing a chunk of frozen water. Why would a religious leader of such high stature do something that seems so bizarre, you may wonder. The answer is to raise awareness about climate change. The chunk of ice he blessed was actually a chunk of the Greenland glacier. Blessing the piece of glacier at the “Raising Hope for Climate Justice” conference near Rome, Pope Leo called on world leaders to act boldly against climate change. He was then joined by actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and other attendees in waving a blue tarp around the ice, a ritual meant to draw attention to environmental urgency. Also read | ‘Blatant act of desperation’: Greta Thunberg, activists detained as Israeli navy stops Gaza aid flotilla. Watch video Pope takes a dig at Trump Speaking at the conference, the Pontiff said, “We will raise hope by demanding that leaders act with courage, not delay. Will you join with us?”. He also slammed those who dismiss the science of global warming, echoing the stance of his predecessor, Pope Francis. “Some have chosen to deride the increasingly evident signs of climate change, to ridicule those who speak of global warming, and even to blame the poor for the very thing that affects them the most,” he said in what was an apparent dig at US President Donald Trump. Watch video here:

Pope Leo XIV blessed a chunk of Greenland ice at a Rome climate summit, sparking both praise and ridicule. Here's why he did this..

Video: Pope blesses chunk of ice on camera, sparks ridicule — but why did he do it?

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Pope blesses chunk of ice on camera, sparks ridicule — why did he do it?