US-Vatican feud over Iran: Pope Leo pushes back on Trump's criticism

13/04/2026 15:00 France 24

The Pope pushed back Monday on President Donald Trump’s criticism of him over the US-Israel war in Iran, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration. Leo XIV's comments came as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz appeared to have come to a halt, an intelligence firm said, and oil prices resumed their climb after Trump announced on social media that the United States would blockade the waterway.

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