Pope Leo IV: ‘If Someone Criticises Me For Proclaiming The Gospel, Let Him Do So Truthfully’.

Vatican City; May 2026: As the Holy Father departed from Castel Gandolfo yesterday (05th May) reaffirmed that the Church has consistently spoken out against nuclear weapons, adding that anyone who wishes to criticize him should do so based on truth. He was responding to the latest critical remarks made about him by US President Donald Trump.

“The mission of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel, to preach peace”, he said. “If someone wants to criticize me for proclaiming the Gospel, let him do so truthfully”. Speaking outside Villa Barberini, his residence in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo recalled that the Church has consistently spoken against nuclear weapons.

“For years, the Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons, so there is no doubt on that point”, the Pope said, responding to President Trump’s claim that the Pope considers it acceptable for Iran to possess nuclear weapons, thereby placing all Catholics at risk. “I simply hope to be listened to because of the value of the word of God”, Pope Leo XIV stressed, reiterating that he has spoken clearly “from the first moment I was elected, and now we are close to the anniversary. I said: ‘Peace be with you’”.

Regarding his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, scheduled for Thursday, May 07th, the Pope expressed his hope that it would be “a good dialogue”, approached “with trust and openness”, so as “to understand one another well. I think the issues he is coming for are not today’s issues. We shall see”, Pope Leo added, again referring to the comments made by the US President.

In an affirmation to the Holy Father’s press briefings, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has reiterated that, “The Pope goes forward on his path, in the sense of preaching the Gospel, of preaching peace, as Saint Paul would say – opportune et importune [‘convenient or inconvenient’]”.

The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said this on the sidelines of the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, the hospital in San Giovanni Rotondo, founded by St. Padre Pio, the famous Capuchin friar and mystic from San Giovanni Rotondo, in 1956. Now the hospital is one of the largest in southern Italy and is also known for its care, research, and treatment centres.

“Even in the face of these new attacks, I do not know whether the Pope will have the occasion to respond”, said the Cardinal. He suggested that the Pope’s previous comments were made as he encountered the press on the papal flight during the Apostolic Journey to Africa, and reiterated that his message “remains the same”.

“The Pope has already responded; I would not add anything”, said the Secretary of State, again emphasising that Pope Leo XIV’s response was “a very, very Christian response, saying that he is doing what his role requires, which is to preach peace. Whether this is pleasing or not, that is another matter”, he stressed. “We understand that not everyone is on the same page. But that is the Pope’s response”.

Team Maverick.