US President Donald Trump announced today a blockade of Iranian ports, said that Iran is seeking a deal “at any cost” following the collapse of negotiations, and described Pope Leo XIV as “very weak.”
In a message posted on his social media platform, Trump said that 34 ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, calling it the highest number since the start of the blockade imposed by Iran after the military offensive launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.
The US president ordered the blockade of Iranian ports starting today, following the failure of direct negotiations with Tehran held in Pakistan aimed at ending the Middle East conflict.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said “the other side” had contacted Washington and expressed willingness to reach an agreement, stressing that Iranian leaders want to strike a deal “at any cost.”
Read more about this topic: Pope Leo XIV “not afraid” of Donald Trump’s administration (with videos)
On the same day, Trump refused to apologize to the Pope, whom he called “very weak,” after criticism from Pope Leo XIV regarding US actions in the Iran crisis.
He accused the head of the Catholic Church of making “false statements” and opposing US measures intended to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, adding that the Pope had shown “great weakness” on several issues, including crime.
Pope Leo XIV responded by saying he was “not afraid” of the US administration and felt a “moral duty” to speak out in favor of peace.
Speaking to journalists aboard the plane from Rome to Algiers — the first stop of an 11-day trip across Africa — the Pope said he had “no intention of entering into a debate” with Trump.
“I am not afraid, neither of the Trump administration nor of speaking clearly about the message of the Gospel,” he said, adding that his message “is always the same: to promote peace.”
“I believe the Church has a moral duty to speak very clearly against war,” the Pope concluded, emphasizing the need to return to diplomacy.
