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Pope issues diplomatic version of "Whatchu talkin' about, Willis?" [1]

['Jason Weisberger']

Date: 2026-05-06  

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. If anyone wants to criticize me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully.

"The Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years, so there is no doubt about that," he added.

While he pope did not name Trump, his comments were a clear rebuke of the president, issued just days before Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Rome.

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[1] Url: https://boingboing.net/2026/05/06/pope-issues-diplomatic-version-of-whatchu-talkin-about-willis.html

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