Pope Leo Responds to President Trump’s Criticism

Pope Leo stated on Monday that he didn’t wish to engage in a debate with President Trump, who had criticized the pope’s stance on the Iran war.

At 70 years old, the pope maintained his opposition to conflict, emphasizing his commitment to peace. “I don’t want to argue with him,” he mentioned while on a flight to Algiers, the Algerian capital, as part of a ten-day African tour. He also remarked, “I don’t think the gospel message is meant to be misused by some.”

Leo expressed his dedication to fighting against war and fostering dialogue among nations, seeking fair resolutions to global issues. “There’s just too much suffering in the world,” he said, noting that innocent lives are lost daily. “I believe someone needs to advocate for a better way.”

Leaders from the Catholic Church have continuously condemned the Iran war, albeit without directly naming President Trump. The pope’s comments followed Trump’s accusations that he was “soft on crime” and “poor on foreign policy.” Trump expressed, “I don’t want a pope who thinks it’s acceptable for Iran to possess nuclear weapons.” He added concerns regarding the situation in Venezuela, where he claimed criminal elements were being released into the U.S.

After arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Trump told reporters he wasn’t a “fan” of Pope Leo, asserting, “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job.” He expressed that the pope should focus more on his role rather than engaging in political matters. “It’s detrimental for him and, more critically, for the Catholic Church,” he concluded.

Following the criticism, the pope called the notion of omnipotence a delusion that drives conflicts in the Middle East.