Pope Leo Clarifies: ‘Handful of Tyrants’ Comment Not Targeted at Trump – Uncover the Real Context

Pope Leo XIV clarified on Saturday that his recent comments about the world being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants” were not directed at former President Donald Trump. This clarification was reported following some misinterpretations earlier in the week.

During a flight to Angola as part of his 10-day tour of Africa, the Pope addressed the media, emphasizing that the coverage of his remarks had been “inaccurate in all its aspects.” He explained that his speech had been drafted two weeks prior, long before any comments made by Trump regarding the Pope or his peace initiatives, as reported by Reuters.

Reuters noted that Pope Leo XIV explicitly stated that his remarks were not targeting Trump, aiming to dispel any misconceptions.

“It seemed as though my intention was to engage in a debate with the former president, but that is not my interest whatsoever,” the Pope reportedly clarified.

These comments were made during Pope Leo XIV’s journey from Yaounde, Cameroon, to Luanda, Angola, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, as he addressed journalists onboard. (Photo credit: Luca Zennaro/Pool Photo via AP)

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment. 

Trump last Sunday accused Pope Leo XIV of being “terrible” on foreign policy as the pontiff has criticized the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

“He talks about ‘fear’ of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian Organizations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services, even when going outside, and being ten and even twenty feet apart,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. 

“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” he continued. 

A split image shows Pope Leo XIV, left, and President Donald Trump, right, amid a public dispute over immigration policy and the conflict involving Iran. (Simone Risoluti – Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images; Salwan Georges/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

During a speech in Cameroon on Thursday, the pope said, “We must make a decisive change of course — a true conversion — that will lead us in the opposite direction, onto a sustainable path rich in human fraternity.” 

“The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters!” he added.

Pope Leo XIV speaks as he meets with the community of Bamenda at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral in Bamenda, on the fourth day of an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa, on April 16, 2026. (Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP via Getty Images)

“Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth,” the pope also said.