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Trump Orders Rubio to Deliver False Claims to Pope During Vatican Meeting
Donald Trump has instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to relay unfounded accusations to Pope Leo XIV during their diplomatic meeting at the Vatican, continuing a pattern of presidential attacks against the Catholic leader.
During remarks at the Lincoln Memorial, Trump told reporters he had directed Rubio to inform the pontiff that “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon” and to “tell the Pope that Iran killed 42,000 innocent protesters who didn’t have guns.” This instruction came as Rubio prepared for the first high-level meeting between a U.S. Cabinet official and the Pope in over a year.
The meeting itself began with an awkward exchange of gifts. Leo presented Rubio with a wooden olive branch emblazoned with the pontificate’s coat of arms, describing it as “the plant of peace.” In return, Rubio offered a palm-sized crystal football, prompting the Pope’s surprised reaction: “Wow, OK.”
Trump has repeatedly and falsely claimed that the American-born Catholic leader supports Iran developing nuclear weapons. In a recent interview on “The Hugh Hewitt Show,” Trump stated the Pope “would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon” and suggested the pontiff is “endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people.”
When questioned about delivering these messages, Rubio attempted to soften Trump’s rhetoric, telling reporters at the White House that the president’s statement was “not an accurate description of what he said.” Rubio offered his interpretation: “I think what the president basically said is Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon because they would use it in places where there’s a lot of Catholics and Christians and others.”
The accusations stand in stark contrast to the Pope’s actual statements. Leo has consistently advocated against nuclear proliferation and for global peace. In a March 5 video message, he explicitly called for nations to “renounce weapons and choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy.” He has prayed that “the nuclear threat never again dictate the future of humanity.”
The tensions between Trump and the Vatican intensified following the Pope’s condemnation of Trump’s April 7 social media post threatening Iran’s entire population with the warning that “a whole civilization will die.” Leo described such comments as “truly unacceptable.”
Days before Rubio’s diplomatic mission, the Pope appeared to address Trump’s mischaracterizations, telling reporters: “If someone wants to criticize me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully.” He emphasized, “The Church has spoken for years against all nuclear weapons, so there is no doubt there.”
Rubio denied that his Vatican trip was intended to smooth relations following Trump’s controversial portrayal of himself as a Christ-like figure or his routine attacks against the Pope’s peace advocacy. The visit comes amid broader tensions between the U.S. administration and the Vatican over international conflicts and diplomatic approaches to Iran.
The high-profile diplomatic exchange highlights the growing divide between Trump’s confrontational foreign policy messaging and the Vatican’s consistent calls for peaceful resolution to global conflicts, particularly regarding nuclear proliferation and tensions in the Middle East.
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16 Comments
This latest incident is yet another example of Trump’s disregard for the truth and his willingness to subvert diplomatic norms for political gain. The Pope should reject these false claims outright.
Agreed. The President’s actions here are concerning and could further damage US relations with the Vatican. The Pope will likely stand firm in upholding the Church’s principles on global issues.
I’m curious to hear the Pope’s response to these alleged instructions from Trump. The Vatican likely won’t appreciate being dragged into undiplomatic political disputes.
Good point. The Pope is known for his principled stance on peace and human rights. He’ll likely reject any attempts to misrepresent the Church’s foreign policy positions.
While I respect the President’s right to share his views, using the Secretary of State to convey unproven claims to the Pope seems like an abuse of diplomatic channels. The Vatican deserves better.
Absolutely. The President should focus on facts and constructive engagement, not spreading misinformation that undermines the credibility of US foreign policy.
Interesting that Trump would try to influence the Pope’s stance on Iran. While the President is entitled to his views, it seems inappropriate to pressure the Vatican on such sensitive foreign policy matters.
I agree, the President should respect the Pope’s independence and moral authority on global issues. Diplomacy works better through dialogue, not ultimatums.
This seems like another attempt by Trump to spread disinformation and false narratives. Claiming the Pope supports Iran’s nuclear program is simply not true and undermines trust in both leaders.
Exactly. The Vatican has consistently advocated for nuclear non-proliferation, so Trump’s message is clearly at odds with the Pope’s longstanding positions on peace and diplomacy.
It’s concerning to see the President trying to interfere in the Pope’s diplomacy with Iran. The Vatican has its own foreign policy interests and shouldn’t be used for Trump’s political agenda.
Agreed. The President should let the Vatican pursue its own diplomatic initiatives without trying to insert his own views and false narratives into the process.
While presidents can share their views with foreign leaders, it’s concerning that Trump would instruct Rubio to convey unsubstantiated claims to the Pope. That’s an abuse of diplomatic channels.
Agreed. The President should focus on facts, not false narratives, when engaging with the Vatican and other world leaders on critical global matters.
This seems like another example of Trump’s disregard for facts and his willingness to spread misinformation, even through official diplomatic channels. The Pope deserves more respect.
Absolutely. The President should focus on building constructive relationships with global leaders, not making unsubstantiated claims that undermine their credibility.