Pope Leo XIV says critics free to challenge him for war remarks on Iran

Pope Leo XIV has stated that people are free to criticise him as he continues to call for peace amid the war in Iran, following fresh remarks from US President Donald Trump.

Speaking to journalists as he left Castel Gandolfo, a town near Rome where the papal summer residence is located, Pope Leo said the mission of the Church was to preach the Gospel and peace, Caliber.Az reports, citing CNN.

“If anyone wants to criticize me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so with the truth. The Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years, so there is no doubt. I simply hope to be heard because of the value of God’s word,” he stressed.

Earlier, Trump again rebuked the pontiff, claiming without evidence that the Pope “thinks it’s just fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov