Vatican hits back at U.S. claim that Pope Leo speaks as a politician

Days after the Trump administration’s top diplomat to the Holy See sought to play down Pope Leo XIV’s criticism of the U.S. war in Iran, a senior Vatican official on Monday issued a rare public rebuttal, arguing that when the pope speaks forcefully about war, migrants and other topics, he is officially “proclaiming the Gospel.” Democracy Dies in Darkness Vatican hits back at U.S. claim that Pope Leo speaks as a politician President Donald Trump's ambassador had sought to portray the pontiff as the political leader of the Holy See. The Vatican swiftly said he is “proclaiming the Gospel.”