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

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

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

Awkward! Pope Leo’s 'wow, okay' steals spotlight after Rubio’s odd football gift

'Want to criticise me, do so truthfully': Pope Leo slams Trump

Pope takes fresh swipe at Trump; most explosive moment yet in public feud