Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended Pope Leo XIV after the pontiff had been criticised by US President Donald Trump.
The Pope has criticised US actions in Iran. Specifically, he called US threats against the Iranian people unacceptable. In early April, after US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth called for prayer for military personnel, the Pope stated in a sermon that the desire to dominate was not consistent with the path of Jesus Christ.
“His Holiness Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex), I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran, and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person. I wish you glory by Allah,” Pezeshkian said on X.
In turn, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said that the insult to the Pope is not only “unchristian” but also “blatant assault on responsible advocacy for peace, justice and humanity.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also supported Pope Leo XIV amid criticism from US President Donald Trump.
“‘He who sows winds, reaps tempests.’ While some sow the world with wars, Leo XIV sows peace, with bravery and courage. It will be an honor to receive him in Spain in a few weeks,” Sanchez said on X.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Trump’s statements about Pope Leo XIV unacceptable.
