Pope Leo XIV on Monday responded to criticism from President Donald Trump, who sharply criticized the first American pontiff for his comments opposing the war with Iran, which entered its second month.
Leo, who has been unusually direct in criticizing the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran, said he has “no fear” of the Trump administration and reiterated his commitment to continuing his appeals for peace, which he believes are rooted in the gospel.
“I have no fear of the Trump administration, nor speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel,” the pontiff told reporters on Monday. “That’s what I believe in. I am called to do what the church is called to do.”
“We are not politicians, we don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the gospel, as a peacemaker,” he added.
On Saturday, Pope Leo called for an end to conflict, without explicitly mentioning the ongoing war between the United States and Israel against Iran. During a peace vigil held in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, the Pope emphasized the need for an end to war.
The American pontiff also suggested “delusion of omnipotence” is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, imploring the country leaders to come to a peace agreement.
Trump on Sunday night posted on social media, calling the pope “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.”
“Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise. He wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump. If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump said.
Last week, Leo criticized Trump’s public threats to “wipe out” Iranian civilization, saying “attacks on civilian infrastructure are against international law” and urging people to contact leaders and members of Congress to call for peace.
“I will continue to speak out loud against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue, multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems,” Leo said on Monday. “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 to do this.’”
