Vatican, June 4, 2025. Pope Leo XIV waves to the faithful at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square. Photo: Riccardo De Luca - Update / Shutterstock

After Donald Trump repeatedly claimed that Pope Leo XIV supports Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, the pope responded with a calm reminder that the Catholic Church has consistently opposed nuclear weapons for decades.

Without responding to Trump's comments directly, Leo said in remarks transcribed by Vatican correspondent Michael Haynes, "I have already spoken from the first moment 'peace be with you.' The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace.…