Pope Leo XIV Marks 1-Year Anniversary Amid US Tensions

Vatican City, May 8, 2026 - Pope Leo XIV marked the one-year anniversary of his election as the first American pontiff on Friday amid ongoing public exchanges with U.S. President Donald Trump over issues related to war and peace in Iran, which have strained relations between the Holy See and Washington.

The pope spent the eve of the anniversary meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican in an effort to mend ties. Trump has repeatedly criticized Leo's positions, prompting retorts from the pontiff, including a recent statement: "If someone wants to criticize me for announcing the Gospel, let him do it with the truth." Both the Vatican and the State Department described the discussions positively afterward, emphasizing strong bilateral relations despite differences on topics such as the Middle East.

Leo, the former Robert Prevost, a 70-year-old Chicago native and Augustinian missionary priest, has sought to emphasize a pastoral role focused on accompanying the faithful and promoting church unity. Unlike his predecessor Pope Francis, whose 12-year papacy featured rapid reforms, Leo has adopted a measured approach, prioritizing harmony in a polarized church and...