(OSV News): “I have no fear neither of the Trump administration nor speaking out loudly of the message of the gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the Church is here to do,” Pope Leo XIV, said speaking to journalists while travelling from Rome to Algiers on April 13, commenting on recent public criticism from US president, Donald Trump.
The pope emphasised, “We are not politicians… but I do believe in the message of the gospel: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ is the message that the world needs to hear today.”
His remarks followed Trump’s social media posts on April 12, in which the president called Pope Leo “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.”
The pope pointed out, “I do not see my role as that of a politician. I am not a politician, and I do not want to enter into a debate with him. I don’t think that the message of the gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing.”
Pope Leo has consistently criticised combat operations, including US and Israeli actions against Iran on February 28, and condemned Trump’s threat to wipe out Iran’s “whole civilisation”—a statement Trump later moderated following talks with Pakistani mediators.
I don’t think that the message of the gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing
Pope Leo XIV
On April 11, Pope Leo led an evening prayer vigil for peace at St Peter’s Basilica, urging an end to violence in regions including Sudan and Lebanon. “I appeal to the parties in conflict to cease fire and urgently seek a peaceful solution,” he said.
Trump’s social media tirade included: “I don’t want a pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon… And I don’t want a pope who criticises the president of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History.”
Trump also suggested Pope Leo was chosen by the Church to deal with his presidency, claiming, “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.” He criticised the Church’s response during the Covid-19 pandemic and added, “I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t!”
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
Archbishop Paul Coakley
Pope Leo, the first US-born pope, has unequivocally called for the rejection of nuclear weapons and has never supported Iranian nuclear armament. He has consistently advocated for peace and diplomacy, urging all parties to avoid escalation.
Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said late on April 12 that he was “disheartened that the president chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father.”
Archbishop Coakley added, “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 he was he was “disheartened” by Trump’s remarks.
Pope Leo is on an 11-day four-country tour of Africa in which he will visit Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.
