Fact check: Trump falsely claims Pope Leo said Iran can have a nuclear weapon - CNN
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CNN fact-checked President Trump's false claim that Pope Leo X said Iran could have a nuclear weapon.
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CNN fact-checked President Trump, reporting that he falsely claimed Pope Leo X stated Iran could possess a nuclear weapon. This claim was made by President Trump regarding a historical religious figure and a modern geopolitical issue. The fact-check highlights a discrepancy between President Trump's assertion and historical records, as Pope Leo X lived centuries before nuclear technology existed. This clarification is significant because it addresses misinformation from the President concerning a sensitive international topic.
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CNN conducted a fact-check on President Trump's claim.
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WATCH: Trump says the pope has to understand that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Trump's Criticism of Pope Leo XIV and Religious Posts
President Trump has engaged in an ongoing public dispute with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff's calls for peace and stance on the Iran conflict. This has been accompanied by Trump's own controversial religious-themed social media posts, including AI-generated images.
Iran & Middle East Conflict
Tracking the evolving military and diplomatic situation across the Middle East, including US-Iran tensions, Israeli operations, proxy conflicts, and the broader geopolitical implications for the region.
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