President Donald Trump on April 16 told reporters at the White House that Pope Leo XIV had said Iran could possess a nuclear weapon, a claim that is not supported by any public statement from the Vatican, and he lied about the pope’s position while providing no evidence.

Departing for Las Vegas, Trump said: “I have to do what’s right. The Pope has to understand that. Very simple, I have nothing against the Pope. His brother is MAGA all the way…”

The reporter followed up on why he was fighting with the pope.

Trump replied: “I’m not fighting with him. The Pope made a statement. He says Iran can have a nuclear weapon.”

Trump added that he believes Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. He said Iran would use it, and that would put the world, including Italy where the pope lives, in danger. The comments came during an ongoing U.S. military campaign against Iranian targets. Trump has stated repeatedly that his administration will prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

The Vatican and Pope Leo XIV have not released any statement saying Iran can have a nuclear weapon. The exchange happened as tensions continue between the Trump administration and the Catholic Church over the conflict in the Middle East.

Pope Did Not Make Claim on Iran Weapons

Pope Leo XIV has spoken against nuclear weapons on multiple occasions. In a March 5, 2025, video message, he said nations should “renounce weapons,” “halt the arms race,” and ensure “the nuclear threat never again dictate the future of humanity.”

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In June 2025, during a general audience, he said, “We must never get used to war! Indeed, the temptation to have recourse to powerful and sophisticated weapons needs to be rejected.” He has also called for dialogue and peace in the Iran conflict and urged an end to violence in the region.

The Holy See has long supported the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. No record exists of the pope or the Vatican saying Iran should have nuclear weapons. Trump provided no evidence or specific quote during the White House briefing to support his claim.

Pope Criticize Trump

The public exchange happened after the pope criticized Trump’s statements on Iran earlier in the week. Trump had posted on Truth Social calling the pope “WEAK” on crime and “terrible” on foreign policy. He also took credit for the pope’s election last year and told him to “get his act together.”

Hours before Trump spoke to reporters, police in New Lenox, Illinois, responded to a bomb threat at the home of the pope’s brother John Prevost. The president continued his comments on Iran policy during the briefing on April 16.

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Trump said the real world is “nasty” and that he must do what is right for the United States. The pope has called for an end to violence in the Middle East and protection of human lives. The two leaders have clashed over the conflict, with Trump focused on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and the pope urging dialogue instead.

Why This Matters

Trump’s claim that the pope said Iran can have a nuclear weapon is not true. He repeated the claim in response to direct questions from reporters during an official White House event.

In the same answers, Trump brought up the pope’s brother and said he likes him more because the brother supports the MAGA movement.

The pope has called for diplomacy, an end to the fighting, and protection of human lives in the region. The briefing on April 16 showed the ongoing clash between the two leaders.