• Trump renews criticism of Pope Leo XIV, alleging he supports Iran having nuclear weapons.
• Pope Leo responds, emphasizing his mission is to preach peace, not to endanger Catholics.
• Marco Rubio defends Trump’s remarks as misunderstood, but aims to promote dialogue at the Vatican.
• Italian officials echo support for Pope Leo amid Trump's disparaging comments.
• Rubio is set to discuss religious freedom and U.S.-Vatican relations during his visit.

U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his attacks on Pope Leo XIV, claiming the pontiff's positions undermine safety amid rampant global tensions, particularly concerning Iran. In a recent interview, Trump erroneously suggested that the pope supports Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, saying, "I think he's endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people," according to SCMP and Al Jazeera.

Responding to Trump's comments, Pope Leo reiterated his commitment to peace, stating, "The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace," emphasizing his opposition to war and the use of nuclear weapons. The pope remarked that he is open to criticism as long as it reflects the truth, according to BBC and Le Monde.

As Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepares for his scheduled meeting with Pope Leo this Thursday, he attempted to clarify Trump's stances, asserting that the president's remarks have been mischaracterized. Rubio noted that concerns were rooted in the implications of Iran's nuclear capabilities for Catholic communities worldwide, emphasizing the need for dialogue to address differing perspectives between the U.S. and the Vatican, according to SCMP and Le Monde.

Rubio is expected to address key issues during his visit, including religious freedom and cooperation on international diplomacy, notably regarding Cuba. The Secretary's visit comes at a time of heightened political discourse, with Pope Leo's calls for peace contrasting sharply with Trump's rhetoric against Iran, highlighting the complex relationship between U.S. politics and the Vatican's spiritual leadership, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.