U.S. President Trump (left) and Pope Leo XIV. [AP Yonhap News] 사진 확대

U.S. President Trump (left) and Pope Leo XIV. [AP Yonhap News]

The clash between U.S. President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV was repeated ahead of the U.S. diplomat’s visit to the Vatican.

According to Vatican News on the 5th (local time), Pope Leo XIV left Castel Gandolfo, a villa near Rome, Italy, for the Vatican and told reporters, “The mission of the church is to preach the gospel and spread peace. If anyone wants to criticize me for preaching the gospel, do so based on truth.”

Pope Leo XIV’s remarks came after President Trump appeared on the conservative radio talk show “The Hugh Hewitt Show” the day before, claiming that the pope tolerated Iran’s possession of nuclear weapons.

“The pope wants to talk about the fact that Iran would rather have nuclear weapons, but I don’t think that’s good,” Trump claimed.

“The pope is putting many people, including Catholics, at risk,” he said. “He thinks Iran is just fine to have nuclear weapons.”

Rubio will meet Leo XIV at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on the morning of the 7th to try to ease tensions between the United States and the Vatican.

Brian Birch, the US ambassador to the Vatican, told reporters that Rubio’s meeting with the pope would be an “honest conversation.” “There may be differences between countries, and one of the ways to solve this is brotherhood and real dialogue,” he said.

Ambassador Birch drew a line on the interpretation that there is a “deep rift” between the United States and the Vatican. He explained the purpose of Rubio’s visit, saying, “It is to understand each other better, and if there is a difference, it is to discuss it.”

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Head of Diplomacy

Italy

Brian

Bishop’s Office

U.S. Ambassador