Pope Leo hits back at Trump over claim he is ‘endangering Catholics’

The pontiff and the US president have repeatedly clashed over the war in Iran
Pope Leo has hit back at Donald Trump over his baseless claim that the pontiff is “endangering Catholics ” by supporting Iran ’s nuclear programme.

In his latest attack on the Pope, the US President claimed over the weekend that the pontiff “thinks it’s fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon” without providing evidence.

Speaking outside the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, the Pope did not directly respond to Trump by name but said that the Catholic Church had always been opposed to nuclear weapons .

"The mission of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel, to preach peace," he said.

"If someone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully.

"For years, the Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons, so there is no doubt on that point.”
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