Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered an incredibly sharp response to Pope Leo XIV’s hand-wringing over U.S. military action against Iran, explaining the nuances and intricacies of dealing with terrorist nations.
Rubio, in an interview with Fox News personality Sean Hannity, reminded the Vatican that while faith serves as our nation's moral compass—always—the sacred duty of keeping Americans safe sometimes demands more than endless diplomacy.
When pressed on the push for negotiations with a regime hell-bent on nuclear weapons and regional domination, Rubio didn’t mince words, drawing on a World War II analogy that perhaps the Pope could understand.
"I agree. We wouldn’t want wars either. We’re not – I don’t think we’re in favor of war. But for a nation-state ... there are threats to your security and to the well-being of your people that have to be addressed," he said. "Ideally through a diplomatic means, but there are conflicts, and there are issues in the world that cannot be solved diplomatically, no matter how hard you try."
Rubio noted how diplomacy has been tried repeatedly for years in dealing with Iran.
"There’s been over a decade of work done to try to diplomatically solve Iran’s desire and ambition to have a nuclear weapons program. We haven’t gotten any result," he continued. "What was the diplomatic solution for an Adolf Hitler, as an example? There probably – there was none, right? And it unfortunately led to a war."
"We are obviously guided by our faith, and we’re instructed by our faith. That’s the compass by which we live our lives," Rubio explained. "We also have an obligation to the national security of our country, and that has to be taken into account. That’s our primary job, is to keep Americans safe. And that’s why we’re involved in Iran. That’s why we’re involved in anything we do around the world."
🚨 WOW! Sec. Marco Rubio gives the perfect response to Pope Leo on the Iran war
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 14, 2026
"What was the diplomatic solution for an Adolf Hitler?"
"There was none."
"Unfortunately, it led to war."
"We are obviously guided by our faith and we're instructed by our faith. That's the… pic.twitter.com/3naJpD7ClV
WOW! Sec. Marco Rubio gives the perfect response to Pope Leo on the Iran war "What was the diplomatic solution for an Adolf Hitler?" "There was none." "Unfortunately, it led to war." "We are obviously guided by our faith and we're instructed by our faith. That's the compass by which we live our lives." "We also have an obligation to the national security of our country, and that has to be taken into account." "That's our primary job is to keep Americans safe. And that's why we're involved in Iran. That's why we're involved in anything we do around the world." Marco is so good.
READ MORE: Vance Delivers Perfect Response After Pope Calls Out ‘Narrative’ About Him and Trump
Rubio Lays Down a Brutal Red Line for Iran
Rubio is spot on here. As per his position, the Pope will always preach peace. He's always going to pray for peace. We hear it every single Sunday during Mass, when the priest prays for world leaders to resolve their differences and for wars to end across the globe.
And everybody would love to see that. But, until then, Rubio is making it crystal clear that this administration won’t sacrifice national security on the altar of appeasement.
Pope Leo had made headlines, much to the joy of the mainstream media, with comments seemingly critical of the Trump administration's actions in Iran.
“God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs,” he wrote on his official X account. “Military action will not create space for freedom or times of #Peace, which comes only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.”
God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs. Military action will not create space for freedom or times of #Peace, which comes only from the patient…
— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) April 10, 2026
God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs. Military action will not create space for freedom or times of #Peace, which comes only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.
Pope Leo has suggested on occasion that the media is cynically trying to interpret his comments, calling their analysis "commentary on commentary."
His comments, though, triggered a public feud with President Trump, who called the Pope "terrible" on foreign policy and accused him of endangering people by opposing strong action against Iran.
“I donʼt think heʼs doing a very good job. … I am not a fan of Pope Leo,” Trump fired back: “Heʼs a very liberal person.”
🚨 JUST NOW — PRESIDENT TRUMP goes hard on POPE LEO: "I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo. A very liberal person and a man that doesn't believe in stopping crime!"
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 13, 2026
"He likes crime, I guess!"
"He's worried about FEAR? What about fear when the ministers and priests...were ARRESTED… pic.twitter.com/0Wg5yVdt4O
JUST NOW — PRESIDENT TRUMP goes hard on POPE LEO: "I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo. A very liberal person and a man that doesn't believe in stopping crime!" "He likes crime, I guess!" "He's worried about FEAR? What about fear when the ministers and priests...were ARRESTED during COVID?" "We don't like a Pope that's gonna say it's OK to have a nuclear weapon! That says crime is OK in our cities!" "He doesn't want us toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon so they can BLOW UP the word!" "I'm not a FAN of Pope Leo."
Rubio's response was slightly more measured. It is a much-needed reminder that while faith and prayer are vital, only clear-eyed leadership and strength will keep Americans safe.
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