By Humeyra Pamuk
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said Pope Leo was free to say what he wanted but that it was important for him to understand that Iran could never have a nuclear weapon.
Trump has repeatedly criticized the religious leader, who has emerged as an outspoken critic of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in recent weeks.
Trump says he is responsible for Leo's appointment, and has accused him of being "weak" on foreign policy.
"The Pope has to understand - it's very simple - Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. The world would be in great danger," he told reporters at the White House.
Trump's criticism has triggered widespread backlash from U.S. Christians across the political spectrum.
Leo, originally from Chicago, decried the "madness of war" in a peace appeal on Saturday.
The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. Iran responded with its own strikes on Israel and Gulf states with U.S. bases. U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions.
Leo told Reuters on Monday he would keep criticizing the war, regardless of Trump's comments.
"The Pope can say what he wants, and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree. I think that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump said.
(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Bhargav Acharya; editing by Scott Malone, Michelle Nichols and David Ljunggren)
