Speaking to reporters aboard his flight to Algeria, the Pope declined to engage directly with Trump but reaffirmed his mission to promote peace, saying “too many innocent people are being killed” and urging a better path forward.
His remarks followed an unusually blunt attack by Trump, who described the pontiff as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” later adding he was “not a big fan.” The US president also questioned the circumstances of the Pope’s election and portrayed him as overly liberal.
The disagreement centers on the escalating conflict involving Iran. Pope Leo has strongly condemned threats of destruction and called for de-escalation, while Trump has defended a tougher stance, citing security concerns and Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Despite the criticism, the Pope emphasized that his role is moral rather than political. “I don’t want to get into a debate,” he said, “but there’s a better way to do this.”
The rare public exchange highlights growing tensions between the Vatican and Washington, as Pope Leo continues an 11-day visit to Africa, reinforcing his message of peace and humanitarian responsibility.
