MWE Correspondent
Pope Leo XIV has said he will continue speaking out against war and violence despite a sharp public attack from U.S. President Donald Trump, marking an intensifying exchange between two of the world’s most influential voices on global conflict.
Speaking to journalists aboard a papal flight en route to Algiers, the pontiff reaffirmed his commitment to promoting peace, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation among nations. The Pope, who was beginning a 10-day tour of four African countries, said his mission was to highlight the suffering caused by ongoing wars around the world and to call for alternatives to military solutions.
“I don’t want to get into a debate with him,” Pope Leo said, referring to Trump. “I don’t think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing.”
He added that his role as spiritual leader of more than 1.4 billion Catholics requires him to speak out when civilians are affected by conflict. “Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed. Someone has to stand up and say there is a better way,” he said.
The Pope, originally from Chicago, has in recent weeks become increasingly vocal about global conflicts, including the escalating tensions involving Iran. He has repeatedly condemned what he describes as the “madness of war,” urging world leaders to prioritize diplomacy over military escalation.
His latest remarks come after Trump issued a strongly worded response on social media, calling the Pope “terrible” and accusing him of being weak on crime and ineffective in foreign policy. The former president’s comments followed a series of papal statements criticizing hardline approaches to immigration and international military interventions.
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The exchange highlights a rare public clash between a sitting pontiff and a former U.S. head of state, drawing global attention to the intersection of religion, politics, and foreign policy. Analysts say such confrontations underscore deeper divisions over how global conflicts should be addressed, particularly as wars continue to cause widespread humanitarian suffering.
During his flight, Pope Leo emphasized that the Christian message should not be distorted for political purposes. “I think the message of the Gospel is being abused in some cases,” he said, without directly naming individuals or governments.
He reiterated that the Church’s role is to advocate for peace and human dignity, especially in times of crisis. “There must be dialogue, there must be understanding, and there must be justice,” he said, adding that silence in the face of suffering is not an option.
The Vatican has not issued an official response to Trump’s remarks, but observers expect the debate to continue as both figures remain highly influential in shaping public opinion on global affairs.
