UK says cargo ship struck by ‘projectile’ in Strait of Hormuz; Trump issues fresh warning to Iran; More missiles fired into the UAE; Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says ceasefire is ‘not over’

The latest round of the somewhat one-sided feud between the Trump presidency and Leo’s papacy is underway.

In a conversation with conservative commentator and radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump again claimed that Pope Leo’s calls for peace in the Middle East were helping Iran – despite Trump publicly claiming he wants the same thing.

“The Pope would rather talk about the fact that it’s okay that Iran has a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.

“And I don’t think that’s very good. I think he’s putting a lot of Catholics and a lot of people in danger.”

Leo said in response that the Catholic Church had opposed all nuclear weapons developments for decades.

“So there’s no question about that,” he said.

The pope, the first to be born in the US, has not called on Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon but has consistently advocated peace, saying it is in line with his mission as a priest.

“If anyone wants to criticize me for preaching the Gospel, let him do it with the truth,” Leo said.

Trump’s comments come ahead of Secretary of State – and practicing Catholic – Marco Rubio’s meeting with the Pope this week.