Pope Leo XIV declared he has “no fear of the Trump administration” and will continue to speak openly for peace after President Donald Trump sharply criticized him on social media. The remarks came amid escalating tensions over Iran and growing conflict around the world.
On Sunday, Trump called the pope “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy” and expressed opposition to the pontiff’s stance on Iran’s potential nuclear capabilities. Trump tweeted, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” marking a clear rebuke of the pope’s calls for peace and dialogue.
Earlier, Pope Leo had labeled Trump’s threat to “wipe out” Iranian civilization as “truly unacceptable” and encouraged people to urge political leaders to pursue peace instead of war. Speaking to journalists aboard his plane en route to Africa on Monday, the pope addressed the criticism without directly responding to the president’s statements.
“I am not a politician,” the pope said. “I will leave that to the politicians.” He emphasized that his mission was spiritual, rooted in the Gospel’s message: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” He warned against equating his message with political agendas, suggesting that Trump misunderstood the heart of the Gospel.
“To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here is, I think, not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” he said. “I am sorry to hear that, but I will continue with what I believe is the mission of the Church in the world today.”
Pope Leo stressed that he speaks for peace amid increasing global violence and suffering, a role he sees as distinct from engaging in political debate. He described his approach as advocating for dialogue, reconciliation, and multilateral cooperation as alternatives to conflict.
His comments followed a recent “60 Minutes” segment featuring American cardinals familiar with the pope, which Trump confirmed watching. Trump told CBS News correspondent Norah O’Donnell that he disagrees with the pope’s views on several issues.
The pope’s remarks came at the start of an 11-day visit to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea—countries facing conflict, inequality, and instability. In recent days, he has criticized the normalization of violence and cautioned against the misuse of religious language to justify war, particularly in the context of the conflict involving Iran.
Why it matters
The public disagreement between Pope Leo and President Trump highlights tensions between religious moral leadership and political policy on critical global issues such as nuclear proliferation and conflict in the Middle East. The pope’s firm stance on peace challenges militaristic rhetoric at a time when international diplomacy faces significant strain.
Background
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has increasingly voiced concerns about escalating global conflicts, especially the war involving Iran. His calls for peace and diplomatic solutions contrast with Trump’s more aggressive foreign policy approach. The pope’s international trip to several African nations reinforces his focus on addressing global instability and humanitarian crises through moral and spiritual guidance.
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