According to BBC, Pope Leo held an open-air Mass in Madrid, Spain, drawing over 1.2 million people to the streets for the religious event. The Pope emphasized that “God stands with the poor” during his address and paid tribute to Spain’s religious traditions. The visit comes against a backdrop of shifting attitudes toward the Church in Spain, with conservatives increasingly distancing themselves from the institution. The Pope arrived at Plaza de Cibeles in his popemobile, waving to crowds along the way.

US Secretary of State Rubio met with Pope Leo. As the first American pope, Leo has drawn criticism from the Trump administration for his firm opposition to the Iran war and hardline immigration policies. The meeting is seen as an effort to ease tensions between Washington and the Vatican.

Source: BBC World

On May 5, 2026, Trump publicly criticized Pope Francis’s position on Iran, claiming the Pope’s statements could endanger Catholic communities around the world.

The Comments

Trump posted on social media, accusing the Pope of not taking a strong enough stance on Iran-related issues and suggesting this could negatively impact Catholic communities in the Middle East.

International Reaction

The remarks quickly sparked broad international discussion. The Vatican has not issued an official response, but diplomatic observers note that public criticism of the Pope by a national leader is unusual.