Pope Leo XIV responded to harsh criticism from President Donald Trump on Monday while traveling to Algeria for the start of a 10-day, four-country African tour. The pontiff asserted that the Church holds a moral obligation to oppose war, framing his stance as an adherence to Gospel teachings rather than a political maneuver.
"The things that I say do not have to be understood as an attack on anyone. The message of the gospel is very clear: Blessed are the peacemakers," the Pope told reporters aboard the papal flight. He emphasized that he feels no fear regarding the Trump administration, telling reporters, "No le tengo miedo" (I am not afraid of him).
President Trump initiated the public spat on Sunday via a post on his Truth Social platform. The president labeled the Pope "weak on crime" and "terrible in foreign policy," specifically citing the pontiff’s recent comments regarding Iran and Venezuela. Trump urged the Pope to focus on his religious duties rather than "pleasing the radical left," claiming his actions are damaging the Catholic Church.
A clash of mandates
In response to the president’s call to stop acting like a politician, the Pope clarified the scope of his mission. "I don't want to enter into a debate with him," the Pope told Reuters, adding that he does not view his role as political. "I believe in the message of the gospel, which is that of building peace."
Leo XIV added that he is simply inviting global leaders to build bridges of reconciliation and avoid armed conflict whenever possible. He stated that he intends to continue speaking out "energetically against war" to promote dialogue and multilateral relations, noting that "too many innocent people are being killed," according to La Tercera. The pontiff expressed concern that the Christian message is being "abused" and "misinterpreted" by those who equate his advocacy with political maneuvering.
"I think the president is not understanding what the message of the gospel is," he stated, noting that he regrets the president's perspective but remains unmoved in his focus. Despite the hostility, the Pope maintained that the Vatican remains committed to multilateral cooperation, arguing that it is essential to return to diplomatic paths to work toward global stability. Both the Cooperativa RSS and BioBioChile reports confirm that the Pope remains resolute in his mission to declare the message of the Gospel regardless of political pressure.
