Kamal Ghorui
Pope Leo, Trump (File photos)
Pope Leo on Monday pushed back against Trump, saying he did not fear him and would continue speaking out against war, including the conflict involving Iran, despite sharp criticism from the US president.Speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane, the Pope said, “I have no fear of the Trump administration,” and also defended the Vatican’s repeated appeals for peace, saying they were rooted in Christian teaching and not political messaging.
“To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here, I think, is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” he said. “And I’m sorry to hear that, but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today,” he added.The Pope, history’s first US-born pontiff, also said his comments were not directed personally at Trump or any leader, but reflected a broader warning against what he called a “delusion of omnipotence” driving global conflicts. He stressed that the Church’s appeal was for peace and reconciliation, not confrontation.
Trump’s attack on Pope
US president Donald Trump responded strongly to Pope’s earlier comment on Monday, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the Pope had focused on “fear” of his administration while ignoring what he described as restrictions faced by churches during the Covid-19 pandemic.“Pope Leo is weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy,” Trump wrote, accusing him of opposing US actions against Iran and other countries. He also said he did not want a Pope who, in his view, supported Iran acquiring nuclear weapons or criticised US operations abroad.In further remarks to reporters, Trump repeated his criticism, saying he was “not a big fan” of Pope Leo and described him as “very liberal.” He also suggested that Leo should focus on religious duties rather than politics, warning that such positions were harming the Catholic Church.
What Pope had said
Earlier, on Saturday, Pope Leo had issued a strong global appeal for peace, calling on world leaders to end ongoing wars and reject what he described as rising aggression in international politics. “Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!” he said, urging leaders to choose dialogue over militarisation. “It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation – not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided,” he added.
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He also warned against the use of religion to justify violence, saying even “the holy Name of God… is being dragged into discourses of death,” and stressed that “true strength is shown in serving life.”
