Trump again assails Pope Leo, potentially complicating Rubio's Vatican visit

Key Points:

• President Trump renewed criticism of Pope Leo XIV, accusing him of supporting Iran's nuclear ambitions and making the world less safe, which may complicate Secretary of State Marco Rubio's upcoming Vatican visit.
• Pope Leo XIV denied supporting Iran's nuclear weapons, emphasizing the Catholic Church's longstanding opposition to all nuclear arms and framing his calls for peace and dialogue as biblically inspired.
• Rubio defended Trump's stance against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, highlighting the threat to millions of Catholics and Christians, but acknowledged the president's comments could hinder diplomatic efforts with the Vatican.
• The dispute has domestic and international political implications, affecting U.S.-Italy relations, with Italian leaders criticizing Trump’s remarks about the pope and reaffirming support for the pontiff’s peace-oriented diplomacy.
• Rubio is scheduled to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani following his Vatican visit, amid ongoing tensions between Trump and European allies over Middle East policy.