Pope Leo XIV has reaffirmed his commitment to speaking out against war, dismissing criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane to Algiers on Monday, the pope stated, 'I have no fear of the Trump administration, nor speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel.' This comes after Trump criticized the pontiff on social media, calling him 'WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.'
The pope, who has been vocal against the U.S.-led war in Iran, emphasized his role as a moral leader rather than a political figure. 'I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems,' he said. He also condemned what he described as a 'delusion of omnipotence' driving global conflicts.
Trump's criticism followed the pope's calls for peace and his opposition to the war in Iran. The president accused the pope of interfering in U.S. policy and suggested that the pontiff should focus on religious leadership rather than politics. Trump also shared an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ, which drew mixed reactions from his supporters.
The Vatican has been increasingly vocal in its opposition to the war, with Pope Leo and other Catholic leaders calling for diplomacy and peace. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also condemned Trump's remarks, describing them as an affront to religious figures. The rift between the Vatican and the Trump administration highlights the growing tensions over the Iran conflict and the role of religious leaders in global politics.