Former President Donald Trump faced criticism after making a false claim that Pope Leo XIV stated Iran could possess nuclear weapons, a claim that has been strongly refuted by multiple sources.
The False Claim
During an interview with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, Donald Trump asserted that Pope Leo XIV had endorsed Iran's nuclear capabilities. Trump stated, “The pope made a statement. He says, Iran can have a nuclear weapon. I say Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.”
Collins immediately corrected him, noting that the Pope had never made such a statement. Trump’s claims regarding the Pope’s supposed position on Iran’s nuclear program were inaccurate.
Pope Leo XIV's Consistent Stance on Disarmament
Far from endorsing nuclear proliferation, Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly denounced nuclear weapons and consistently called for global disarmament and diplomatic solutions. The Pope’s public statements emphasize that true peace requires abandoning weapons of mass destruction.
His recorded statements highlight a consistent commitment to international peace and arms control:
- May 2025: Following a period of tension involving Israel and Iran, the Pope appealed for responsibility and reason, urging the pursuit of a safer world free from nuclear threats through dialogue.
- July 2025: Marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Pope Leo stated that “true peace demands the courageous laying down of weapons,” specifically criticizing nuclear arms for offending shared humanity.
- January 2026 (World Day of Peace): The Pope warned that relying on military might, especially nuclear deterrence, is based on the “irrationality of relations between nations, built not on law, justice and trust, but on fear and domination by force.”
- February 2026: He urged the US and Russia to prevent the lapse of the New START nuclear arms treaty, calling it a crucial step in containing proliferation and averting a new arms race.
- March 2026: The Pope publicly called for nations to move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, advocating for dialogue over violence.
Conclusion: Misrepresenting the Message
Critics of the Pope’s calls for an end to the US-Israel-Iran conflict have argued that diplomacy is the best path to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. However, the article clarifies that arguing for diplomacy is not equivalent to endorsing nuclear weapons. Trump’s repeated claims about the Pope’s supposed thoughts or future statements regarding Iran’s nuclear status have been factually incorrect, as the Pope has consistently advocated for disarmament and international cooperation.
