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In a statement on Saturday, Pope Leo XIV expressed disinterest in engaging in any debate with President Trump, following their recent exchanges.
Speaking aboard his flight to Angola, the pope addressed the media’s portrayal of a speech he delivered in Cameroon. He highlighted the misrepresentation of his message, which warned against those who exploit religion, noting it was prepared well in advance of any remarks made by the president. “It seems it was misconstrued as an attempt to engage in a debate with the president, which is far from my intention,” Leo clarified. “Our focus remains on spreading the gospel message.”
Recently, Trump criticized the pope’s appeals for peace amidst the U.S.-Israeli tensions with Iran.
On Truth Social, Trump accused the pontiff of being “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” further insinuating that Leo, originally from Chicago, wouldn’t hold his papal position if not for Trump’s presidency. Additionally, Trump falsely claimed that Leo supports Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons, a statement completely unfounded by the pope.
He wrote on Truth Social last Sunday that the pontiff is “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” suggesting that the Chicago-born figurehead of the Catholic Church would not be pope if Trump were not president. He also claimed Leo wants Iran to have nuclear weapons, something the pope has never said.
The president later said he will not apologize for lashing out at Leo for saying “things that are wrong.” He accused the pope of having “a problem” with law and order.
“He was very much against what I’m doing with regard to Iran, and you cannot have a nuclear Iran,” Trump told reporters outside the Oval Office on Monday. “Pope Leo would not be happy with the end result.”
Trump’s rhetoric appeared toned down on Thursday when he told reporters that he’s “not fighting” with Leo. He emphasized liking Leo’s brother, Louis Prevost, who is a Trump supporter, and that Prevost and his family “love their brother who’s the pope.”
“I think that’s the perfect metaphor for where we are,” he added.
Leo told reporters on Sunday, after Trump initially blasted him on Truth Social, that he is “not afraid of the Trump administration.”
He continued his calls for peace later in the week, urging those to “reject the logic of violence and war, and embrace peace founded on love and justice—an unarmed peace, not based on fear, threats or weapons.”
“This peace is disarming, because it is capable of resolving conflicts, opening hearts, and generating trust, empathy, and hope,” he wrote Wednesday on the social platform X. “I strongly reiterate: The world thirsts for #Peace! Enough of war and all the pain it causes through death, destruction, and exile!”