Always Fight About The Thing They Didn’t Say

Trump lies that the Pope said “Iran can have a nuclear weapon” https://t.co/6xe075NLvk

— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) April 16, 2026

Obama stopped Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Trump tore that agreement up. 

He then “obliterated” (his word) Iran’s ability to make a nuclear weapon. Then, about two weeks after attacking Iran, he started talking about doing it to prevent Iran making a nuclear weapon. It been an off a on claim ever since. He’s never presented any evidence Iran can’t make a nuclear weapon now, and in fact has included that agreement by Iran as a requirement of any ceasefire agreement. (He’s not negotiating a surrender, just a ceasefire.)

The Pope has never mentioned nuclear weapons in his recent comments about war. He has, however, spoken on the subject before:

In a March 5 video message, Leo said: "Today we lift up our prayer for peace in the world, asking that nations renounce weapons and choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy. … Lord, enlighten the leaders of the nations, so they may have the courage to abandon projects of death, halt the arms race, and place the lives of the most vulnerable at the center. May the nuclear threat never again dictate the future of humanity."

On March 8, Leo's X account posted about the Iran war's expansion, encouraging people to pray "for the roar of bombs to cease, weapons to fall silent, and space to open for dialogue, in which people's voices may be heard."

In June 2025, the pope called for a world free from nuclear threat and appealed for peace between Iran and Israel.

"The commitment to creating a safer world, free from the nuclear threat, should be pursued through respectful encounter and sincere dialogue, to build a lasting peace, based on justice, fraternity and the common good," Leo said. "No-one should ever threaten the existence of another."

Also in June 2025, during a general audience in St. Peter's Square, Leo said, "We must never get used to war! Indeed, the temptation to have recourse to powerful and sophisticated weapons needs to be rejected."

As the Pope said on Monday:

"I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among states to find just solutions to problems," he said. "Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there's a better way."

Trump has been talking about nuclear weapons ever since, as if it’s a magic charm against the Pontiff’s statements. Pope Leo also said:

"I have no fear of neither the Trump administration nor of speaking out loudly about the message in the Gospel...."

So Trump has to try, try again to make the conversation about the scariest thing he can think of. Because the message of the gospel, as pronounced by the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, seems to be something Trump can’t grapple with.

Then again, Trump doesn’t understand the whole concept of “government.”