US President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Pope Leo XIV, focusing on Iran's alleged actions against protesters and its nuclear ambitions. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iran has killed at least 42,000 unarmed protesters in the past two months and deemed it 'absolutely unacceptable' for the country to possess nuclear weapons. He controversially suggested that the Pope, being from Chicago, was chosen as the head of the Catholic Church due to his nationality, implying it was a strategic decision to manage Trump. In response, Pope Leo XIV has reiterated his commitment to advocating for peace and dialogue, stating that many innocent lives are lost in conflicts and that leaders must take responsibility for promoting peace. During a prayer vigil, the Pope called for an end to violence and criticized the display of power in conflicts, emphasizing the need for cooperation among nations.