Pope Leo XIV has responded firmly to criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, stating that the Catholic Church’s appeals for peace during the Iran conflict are rooted in the Gospel and not political positioning. Speaking during his flight to Algeria, the U.S.-born pontiff emphasized that he would continue promoting dialogue and reconciliation despite growing tensions with Washington over the war.
The pope clarified that his remarks about the conflict were not directed at any individual leader but reflected the Church’s broader mission to encourage peace and reduce suffering worldwide. He said the message of the Gospel calls on people to act as peacemakers and stressed that he would not hesitate to continue speaking against war wherever possible.
Leo also made clear that he does not feel intimidated by criticism from the Trump administration. He noted that the Vatican approaches global conflicts from a moral and humanitarian perspective rather than through the lens of political strategy, and reaffirmed that the Church would continue advocating multilateral dialogue to resolve international disputes.
President Trump sharply criticized the pope in a series of public remarks and social media posts, describing him as overly liberal and accusing him of taking positions that he said weakened U.S. foreign policy. Trump also suggested that religious leaders should avoid commenting on political decisions related to national security and international conflict.
Religious leaders and political figures in Europe expressed support for Pope Leo XIV following the exchange, emphasizing that the papacy’s role is to promote peace rather than engage in political rivalry. The pope reiterated that the Church’s responsibility is to speak for those affected by war and to encourage peaceful solutions as conflicts continue to affect civilians across multiple regions.
