Pope Leo XIV has said he is not intimidated by Donald Trump, insisting he will continue to speak out against war and injustice following a series of sharp criticisms from the U.S. president.
The exchange marks a rare and escalating public confrontation between a sitting U.S. leader and the head of the Catholic Church.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, described the pontiff as “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” intensifying earlier accusations that the Pope is politically biased, claiming he was “catering to the Radical Left.”
The criticism followed the Pope’s increasingly vocal stance against global conflict, including the U.S.-Israeli war involving Iran, as well as concerns over immigration policies under the Trump administration.
Responding during a papal flight to Algiers, where he is embarking on a 10-day tour to four African countries, Pope Leo told Reuters,“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 added: “Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there’s a better way.”
Speaking to other reporters, the pope said: “I have no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly.”
The pontiff, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, has in recent weeks condemned what he described as the “madness of war,” and previously questioned whether strict immigration measures in the United States align with Christian teachings.
“Someone who says, ‘I am against abortion but I am in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States’, I don’t know if that’s pro-life,” he said in earlier remarks.
Trump has also urged the Pope to “get his act together as Pope” and “focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician,” while accusing him of being “weak on nuclear weapons.”
In response, Pope Leo rejected suggestions that his role is political.
“The message of the Church, my message, the message of the Gospel: Blessed are the Peacemakers. I do not look at my role as being political, a politician,” he said.
The dispute has sparked strong reactions among Catholics and religious leaders. Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed disappointment over Trump’s comments.
“Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls,” he said.
The tension also echoes past clashes between Trump and Pope Francis, who had previously criticised his immigration policies.
However, Pope Leo has maintained that his focus remains on advocating peace and dialogue, even as political criticism continues to mount.
Source: Reuters
