Pope Leo XIV has decided not to visit the U.S. for its 250th birthday party
Pope Leo XIV Steps Back From U.S. Visit as Questions Swirl Over His Stance on Trump and Iran
Pope Leo XIV is not expected to return to the U.S. According to The Irish Star, the Pope has always been critical of the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict and is reportedly not planning a visit while President Donald Trump is in office. The decision reportedly followed a meeting, which took place between the Pope and the Pentagon.
Pope Leo has been critical of the ongoing war and recently expressed his views on X, too. He wrote, “There is no human experience that God does not redeem. When lived in union with the passion of the Lord, even suffering can become a path to holiness.” He added, “The grace that converts and transforms life strengthens us in every trial. It does not point us towards a distant ideal, but towards the encounter with God, who became man out of love. #GeneralAudience #LumenGentium.”
When President Trump posted on Truth Social that he would wipe out the entire civilization of Iran if they didn’t comply, Pope Leo called it “unacceptable”. He said, “Today, as we all know, there was this threat against all of the people of Iran. This is truly unacceptable. There are certainly issues here of international law, but even more than that, it is a moral question for the good of the (world’s) people.”
The Pope was unhappy with how the government spoke to his messenger, Cardinal Pierre
The Pope further added, “Attacks on civilian infrastructure is against international law…it is also a sign of hatred, the division, the destruction that the human being is capable of.” As reported by the Free Press, the pontifex was invited to the U.S. to attend the 250th anniversary celebrations, but he decided not to attend. Before this, the top church leader, Cardinal Christopher Pierre, was called to attend a meeting at the Pentagon. But, according to reports, the meeting didn’t go well. Now, instead of visiting the U.S., where he was born, the Pope will be in Italy to pray with the migrants.
Cardinal Christopher Pierre used to work as the Pope’s helper before leaving his job on March 7. He acted as the Pope’s Vatican envoy to the United States. According to reports of the meeting held between the Pentagon and Cardinal Pierre, the government officers were unhappy with the comments made by the Pope recently. The meeting, as reported, was very tense. The officials also pointed out that the Pope was being too critical of the President.
Pope Leo might not visit U.S again as long as President Trump is in office
However, the Defense Department called out the Free Press reports and stressed that the claims made were “highly distorted”. The official stressed, “The Free Press’s characterization of the meeting is highly exaggerated and distorted. The meeting between Pentagon and Vatican officials was a respectful and reasonable discussion. We have nothing but the highest regard, and welcome continued dialogue with the Holy See.”
After the news of the ceasefire between Iran and the U.S was announced by Trump, Pope Leo XIV shared a message. He said, “In light of these past hours of great tension for the Middle East and for the whole world, I welcome with satisfaction…the announcement of an immediate two-week truce.”