SAN ANTONIO — Gustavo Garcia-Siller defended Pope Leo XIV following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump over the pope’s statements on the war in Iran.
Garcia-Siller said the pope’s remarks reflect the message of the Gospel and a call for peace, reconciliation and diplomacy. He cited the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on civilians, including families and children, and described the disruption caused by the war.
“I pray for Pope Leo XIV as he demonstrates serenity and calmness while remaining firm in the face of the critical implications brought about by this senseless violence,” Garcia-Siller said.
The pope, speaking during a trip to Africa, said he would continue to call for peace and dialogue and warned about the effects of the conflict on civilians.
Trump responded Sunday night in posts on Truth Social, criticizing the pope’s position. He said he did not want a pope who supports Iran having a nuclear weapon and objected to the pope’s criticism of U.S. policy.
Trump also shared, and later deleted, an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ.
A Vatican official, Antonio Spadaro, responded to Trump’s remarks in a social media post, stating that political power may attempt to discredit moral voices when it cannot contain criticism.
The exchange followed ongoing differences between the Vatican and the Trump administration over the war in Iran and broader foreign policy issues.
