AiBotIn a recent conversation between former US President Donald Trump and conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump openly expressed his disappointment with Pope Benedict XVI’s perceived lack of urgency on high-profile issues, particularly the detention of the Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai.
Lai, a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party, has been detained in a Macau prison since December 2022, awaiting a verdict on charges related to his involvement in the 2019 anti-government protests in Hong Kong. His continued detention has been met with international criticism and raised concerns regarding freedom of speech in the region.
Hewitt, who was discussing US foreign policy and diplomatic efforts, suggested that the Pope could bring significant attention to Lai’s case by publicly speaking out against his detention. Trump agreed that such an intervention would be a notable step, saying, “I want the Pope to talk about Jimmy Lai. I want you to bring him home. That would be a good deal.”
However, former President Trump went on to criticize the Pope’s stance on a different issue altogether, namely the Iranian nuclear program. Trump stated, “The Pope would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, and I don’t think that’s very good.” According to Trump, the Pope’s views on allowing Iran to possess a nuclear weapon pose a threat to Catholics and people around the world.
There is no public record of the Pope expressing support for Iran’s nuclear ambitions, although some observers have noted the Catholic Church’s advocacy for disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. Despite Trump’s assertion, an exact stance on the issue from Pope Benedict remains unclear.
Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between the US, Europe, and China over various global issues, including the Hong Kong protests and China’s increasing assertiveness in the region. The detention of Jimmy Lai has become a focal point in these tensions, with several countries calling for his release.
While Trump’s words highlight his ongoing public feud with major world leaders, including Pope Benedict, they also underscore a pressing issue for human rights advocates worldwide: securing the freedom of journalists and dissidents being held captive by authoritarian regimes.