Trump Dismisses Need for Meeting With the Pope Amid Iran Tensions

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:13:00 +0200

President Donald Trump said he did not think a meeting with Pope Leo XIV was necessary, continuing a public back-and-forth tied to the war with Iran and the administration’s hard line on nuclear issues. The remarks came as tensions remained high over U.S. actions against Iran, including pressure on Tehran and a blockade affecting strategic shipping routes in the region. Trump has repeatedly argued that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon and has framed his approach as part of a broader effort to force concessions from Iranian leaders.

The exchange with the pope added a religious and diplomatic layer to an already volatile geopolitical dispute. Pope Leo XIV has criticized the escalation and warned against war, while Trump has pushed back, saying he disagrees with the pontiff’s position. In his comments, Trump suggested that a formal meeting was unnecessary and signaled little interest in softening his stance. The article reflects a moment in which U.S. foreign policy, Middle East c