Trump says pope free to speak but warns Iran cannot have nuclear weapon

US President Donald Trump said that Pope Leo was entitled to express his views, but stressed that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.

Trump has repeatedly criticised the Pope, who has become an outspoken opponent of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran in recent weeks.

Despite this, the Pope has maintained that he will continue speaking out against the war. Trump, however, has accused him of being “weak” on foreign policy and claimed he played a role in his appointment. Speaking at the White House, Trump said the issue was straightforward: a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a serious global threat.

His remarks have drawn criticism from Christians across the US. The Pope, who hails from Chicago, recently condemned what he described as the “madness of war” during a peace appeal on April 11.

The conflict escalated after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, followed by retaliatory attacks from Iran targeting Israel and Gulf states hosting US bases. The violence, including Israeli strikes in Lebanon, has resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.

In an interview with Reuters on April 13, the Pope reaffirmed that he would continue criticising the war regardless of Trump’s comments. Trump reiterated that while the Pope is free to speak, he strongly disagrees and remains firm that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons.