Trump to Pope Leo XIV: 'Like it or not, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon'
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday again accused Pope Leo XIV of wanting Iran to have a nuclear weapon, and insisted, on the eve of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to the Vatican, that this cannot happen even if it displeases the pontiff. 'As far as the Pope is concerned, it's very simple; whether he likes it or not, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. He seemed to suggest they can, and I say they cannot, because if that happens, the whole world will be taken hostage, and we are not going to let that happen,' said the president when asked by journalists in the Oval Office.
TL;DR
- Donald Trump accuses Pope Leo XIV of wanting Iran to have a nuclear weapon.
- Trump insists that Iran cannot possess a nuclear weapon, regardless of the Pope's approval.
- The accusations precede a visit by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the Vatican.
- Pope Leo XIV had previously deemed Trump's threat against Iran 'unacceptable'.
- Trump had called the Pope 'weak' and 'terrible at foreign policy' in response.
- Rubio stated that his visit is not motivated by the disagreement and aims to discuss humanitarian aid and religious freedom.