Pope Leo Rejects Nuclear Weapons Claim, Pushes Back Against Trump
The Guardian reported that Pope Leo has explicitly rejected claims that he supports nuclear weapons, creating a public disagreement with President Trump on the issue.
Trump had previously claimed publicly that the Pope held a supportive stance toward nuclear weapons and had made a series of critical remarks. The Vatican swiftly denied the claim, stating that the Holy See has consistently opposed the use and proliferation of nuclear weapons.
US Secretary of State Rubio is reportedly planning a trip to Rome for follow-up diplomatic engagement on the matter. Analysts suggest this dispute reflects not only a policy disagreement on nuclear weapons but also broader tensions between the US administration and the Vatican on international issues.
Since taking office, Pope Leo has maintained a clear anti-nuclear stance on disarmament and non-proliferation. He has repeatedly called for the global elimination of nuclear weapons, arguing that their mere existence poses a threat to human security.
This public disagreement comes amid heightened US-Iran tensions, further complicating the international diplomatic landscape.