New Delhi, April 13 -- US President Donald Trump speaking to reporters on Monday (April 13) at the Oval Office has refused to apologise for his remarks against Pope Leo XIV, saying the pontiff was "very weak on crime" and had made "things that are wrong" in his criticism of the US stance on Iran.

The comments come amid a widening dispute between the White House and the Vatican over the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Speaking at the White House briefing, Trump dismissed calls for an apology.

"There's nothing to apologize for," he said.

He added of Pope Leo XIV: "Pope Leo said things that are wrong. He was very much against what I'm doing with regard to Iran."

Trump further argued that Iran must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons,...