Did Pope Leo XIV say, "Iran can have a nuclear weapon," as President Donald Trump suggested on the White House lawn in April 2026? No, that's not true: The pope has repeatedly argued against war and denounced nuclear weapons. In March 2026, he posted on X, "Let us #PrayTogether that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence."
The claim appeared in a post and video (archived here) by the White House's official @RapidResponse47 account on X on April 16, 2026. It read:
.@POTUS: 'I have nothing against the Pope... If the Pope looked at the 42,000 people that were killed over the last two or three months, as [protesters] with no weapons, no nothing... I have a right to disagree with the Pope.'
This is what a video still from the post looked like on X at the time of writing:
(Image source: post by @RapidResponse47 on X.com.)
Fifteen seconds into the video on the White House lawn, Trump said:
The pope made a statement. He says, Iran can have a nuclear weapon. I say Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.
Video of the president can be viewed here (archived here):
.@POTUS: "I have nothing against the Pope... If the Pope looked at the 42,000 people that were killed over the last two or three months, as [protesters] with no weapons, no nothing... I have a right to disagree with the Pope." pic.twitter.com/HxbX1oK4Uh
-- Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 16, 2026
Pope Leo XIV
The pontiff is a proponent of peace and has regularly argued against nuclear weapons. In a post (archived here) on X on March 5, 2026, he said:
Let us #PrayTogether that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence. #PrayerIntention @clicktopray_en
On World Day of Peace on Jan. 1, 2026, the pope said (archived here) this in his message: "Peace be with you all: Towards an 'unarmed and disarming' peace":
Far beyond the principle of legitimate defense, such confrontational logic now dominates global politics, deepening instability and unpredictability day by day. It is no coincidence that repeated calls to increase military spending, and the choices that follow, are presented by many government leaders as a justified response to external threats. The idea of the deterrent power of 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.
In June 2025, a month after being elected pope, he also said this (archived here) when Israel was on the verge of attacking Iran:
Indeed, during these days too, news is coming in that causes much concern. The situation in Iran and Israel has deteriorated gravely, and in such a delicate moment, I would like to renew strongly an appeal to responsibility and reason. The commitment to creating a safer world, free from the nuclear threat, should be pursued through respectful encounter and sincere dialogue, to build a lasting peace, based on justice, fraternity and the common good. No-one should ever threaten the existence of another. It is the duty of all countries to support the cause of peace, undertaking paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee safety and dignity for all.
Trump and the pope
Trump and the pope have been at odds over the war involving Iran. Trump criticized him in a Truth Social post (archived here) on April 12, 2026, calling him "weak," "very liberal," and saying he was doing a poor job, while defending his own policies.
