Fact check: Trump falsely claims Pope Leo said Iran can have a nuclear weapon
- Posted on April 16, 2026
- By CNN
- 10 Views
In brief
Former President Trump made unsubstantiated allegations against Pope Leo XIV regarding nuclear proliferation policies. The claim, which lacks factual basis, represents another instance of disputed statements in Trump's ongoing public commentary about Vatican leadership and international security matters. Fact-checkers have debunked the assertion, highlighting the importance of verifying claims about religious figures and sensitive geopolitical issues before public dissemination.
Fact check: Trump falsely claims Pope Leo said Iran can have a nuclear weapon
President Donald Trump continued his criticism of Pope Leo XIV on Thursday – in part by making a false claim about the pope’s stance on nuclear weapons.
