“The mission of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel, to preach peace. If anyone wants to criticize me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so with the truth .” Following Cardinal Pietro Parolin’s remarks this morning, Pope Leo XIV himself has commented on today’s statements by the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, who has once again criticized the Pontiff.

As he left Villa Barberini, his residence in Castel Gandolfo, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the Bishop of Rome stopped to speak with a group of journalists and answered their questions:  “The Church has been speaking out against all nuclear weapons for years, so there is no doubt about that ,” the Pope said, responding to Trump’s claims that the Pontiff would consider it acceptable for Iran to possess nuclear weapons, endangering all Catholics.

“I simply hope that I will be heard because of the value of God’s word ,” the Successor of Peter emphasized, reiterating that  “I have already spoken from the first moment I was elected and we are now approaching the anniversary. I have said: ‘Peace be with you’ .

Regarding the meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, scheduled for the morning of Thursday, May 7, the Pope expressed his hope that it would be  “a good dialogue”  to arrive  “with confidence”  and  “with openness”  at  “understanding each other well .  ” “I think the issues he’s coming to discuss are not the same as today’s. We’ll see…” added Leo, referring again to the statements made by the President of the United States.