Additional Coverage:
A recent poll reveals that nearly one-third of Americans view Pope Leo XIV’s anti-war stance unfavorably, highlighting a divided public opinion amid ongoing tensions between the pontiff and Trump administration officials over the Iran conflict.
The survey, conducted by ABC News, The Washington Post, and Ipsos, asked participants to share their reactions to various leaders’ comments on the Iran war, ranging from Trump administration figures to Pope Leo. The findings come as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, himself a Catholic, is scheduled to meet with Pope Leo at the Vatican for what has been described as a “frank conversation about U.S. policy.”
When asked about Pope Leo’s call for Americans to urge Congress to pursue peace and reject war, 66% of respondents expressed positive feelings. However, 30% expressed negative views toward the pope’s anti-war appeal, reflecting a notable minority in opposition.
The poll also captured public sentiment toward former President Trump’s controversial statement criticizing the pope. Trump had tweeted, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” a message that drew a predominantly negative reaction from 57% of those surveyed, while 38% responded positively.
Pope Leo quickly dismissed Trump’s accusations, which suggested the pontiff was endorsing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and putting Catholics at risk. Speaking from his residence in Castel Gandolfo, the pope emphasized the Church’s commitment to peace and outright opposition to nuclear weapons.
“The mission of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel, to preach peace,” Pope Leo stated. “If someone wants to criticize me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully… For years, the Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons, so there is no doubt on that point.”
In response, Rubio defended Trump’s remarks during a recent press conference, suggesting the president’s words were misunderstood.
“I don’t think that’s an accurate description of what he said,” Rubio commented regarding Trump’s claim that the pope was endangering Catholics.
The poll further noted widespread disapproval across religious and political lines toward Trump’s recent release of a Christ-like AI-generated image of himself-a depiction Trump claimed he believed showed him as a doctor.
As diplomatic exchanges continue between the Vatican and Washington, these survey results underscore the complexities of public opinion surrounding religious leadership and U.S. foreign policy debates.