Pope Leo XIV on Monday responded to criticism from President Donald Trump, telling reporters whereas touring to Algeria that he has “no worry” of the White Home.
“I’ve no worry of the Trump administration, nor talking out loudly concerning the message of the gospel. That is what I imagine in. I’m referred to as to do what the church known as to do,” Pope Leo mentioned.
The pope on Saturday addressed world leaders and referred to as for an finish to battle, with out explicitly mentioning the U.S.-Israeli conflict in opposition to Iran. “Sufficient of conflict,” Pope Leo mentioned throughout an deal with in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican Metropolis. Trump then posted on social media calling the pope “WEAK on Crime, and horrible for International Coverage.”
Pope Leo XIV addresses journalists throughout the flight heading to Algiers on April 13, 2026. Pope Leo XIV embarks at present on an 11-day go to to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea for his first main worldwide journey since turning into pontiff final yr.
Alberto Pizzoli/POOL/AFP through Getty Photographs
On Monday, Pope Leo mentioned that his feedback “are definitely not meant as assaults on anybody and the message of the gospel could be very clear, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.'”
“I can’t draw back from saying the message of the gospel, of inviting all folks to search for methods of constructing bridges for peace and reconciliation, of on the lookout for methods to keep away from conflict any time that is potential,” Pope Leo continued. “To place my message on the identical airplane as what the president has tried to do right here I feel will not be understanding what the message of the gospel is and I am sorry to listen to that.”
Responding to a different query from reporters, Pope Leo mentioned of the obvious tensions with Trump, “I don’t take a look at my function as being political … I do not need to get right into a debate with him. I do not suppose that the message of the gospel is supposed to be abused in the best way that some persons are doing.”
“I’ll proceed to talk out loud in opposition to conflict, seeking to promote peace, selling dialogue, multilateral relationships among the many states to search for simply options to issues,” he mentioned. “Too many individuals are struggling on the planet at present. Too many harmless persons are being killed. And I feel somebody has to face up and say, ‘There’s a greater approach to do that.'”
Pope Leo XIV boards his airplane heading to Algiers at Rome’s Fiumicino airport on April 13, 2026.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP through Getty Photographs
-ABC Information’ Melissa Adan and Victoria Beaule
