Pope Leo denounces Trump's claims about him as false

Pope Leo XIV dismissed President Donald Trump's accusation that he supports Iran's right to possess nuclear weapons, denouncing the claim as false.

The 70-year-old pontiff told reporters Tuesday night, “The mission of the church is to preach the gospel, to preach peace," emphasizing the Institution has opposed all nuclear weapons for years, reports The Guardian.

Trump attacked the first U.S.-born pope during a radio interview, claiming Pope Leo was endangering Catholics by supporting Iranian nuclear capability.

The tension stems from Leo's criticism of the joint U.S. and Israeli military war on Iran, starting on Feb. 28.

Trump has previously criticized the Chicago native as "weak on crime" and "terrible on foreign policy."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with the Pope on Thursday at the Vatican to ease tensions. Vatican correspondent Andrea Vreede suggested Trump may be attempting to undermine Rubio's diplomatic strategy, noting the conflict has become personal rather than institutional.

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