Trump defends his criticism of Pope Leo: 'I have a right to disagree'
President Donald Trump defended his criticism of Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, the latest in their back-and-forth over the war in Iran.
While speaking with reporters before departing the White House for Las Vegas, Trump said he has "nothing against" the first American pope and "I have a right to disagree" with the pontiff, who has called for an end to wars.
Trump falsely claimed that Pope Leo said that Iran can have a nuclear weapon -- something the pontiff has never said.
"The pope made a statement. He says Iran can have a nuclear weapon," Trump said. "I say Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon."
He later told reporters, "The pope can say what he wants, and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree. I think that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon."
When asked by ABC News' senior political correspondent Rachel Scott to comment on a statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who said that the pope is not merely offering opinions but is preaching the Gospel, Trump responded, "I want him to preach the gospel. I'm all about the gospel. But I also know that you cannot let a certain country, which is a very mean-spirited country, have a nuclear weapon. The pope could disagree with me on that, but certainly we're allowed to have that."
During an address in Cameroon earlier Thursday, Pope Leo, without mentioning Trump by name, said the "world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants."
"The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is often not enough to rebuild," he said. "They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing, on devastation. Yet the resources needed for healing, education, and restoration are nowhere to be found."
"Jesus told us, 'Blessed are the peacemakers.' But woe to those who manipulate religion in the very name of God for their own military, economic or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth," he continued.
When asked to respond to Leo's remarks, Trump said it would be "nice" for the pope not to say that.
Asked if he would meet with the pope to even out their differences, Trump said, "I don't think it's necessary."
The pope has called for an end to wars, including the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
"Enough of war," Leo said on Saturday during a peace vigil in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
The following day, Trump described the pope on social media as "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy."
In response, Pope Leo XIV told reporters on Monday that he has "no fear of the Trump administration, nor speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel."
