Pope Leo XIV on Monday rejected political attacks and reaffirmed the Church’s Gospel mission, warning against the misuse of religion after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticized him.
Speaking to journalists aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria, the Pope said he does “not see my role as that of a politician,” adding, “I am not a politician, and I do not want to enter into a debate with him.”
Trump had accused the pontiff of being “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy” and said, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.”
Without engaging directly in political argument, Pope Leo cautioned that “I do not think the message of the Gospel should be abused as some are doing.”
He said he would “continue to speak strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, dialogue, and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems,” adding that “too many people are suffering today, too many innocent lives have been lost, and I believe someone must stand up and say there is a better way.”
Church leaders in the United States and the Middle East echoed the Pope’s stance, criticizing Trump’s remarks.
“I am disheartened that the President chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father. Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls,” said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
In the Middle East, Bishop William Shomali of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem described Trump’s comparison of himself to Jesus Christ as “unacceptable.”
“If we consider Jesus Christ as a model, then we should emulate him—but that should be through his humility, spirit of service, and self-sacrifice, not through a desire for domination, authority, and marginalizing others,” Shomali said.
“Therefore, the problem is not that he (Trump) tries to emulate Jesus Christ, but rather that he tries to present himself as if he were a superhuman and great figure. This is not acceptable and is rejected,” he added.
Shomali also said Trump “is unfortunately undermining the fundamental principles of the Christian faith, which is to love your neighbor as yourself,” and noted that both the pope and most U.S. bishops oppose the war.
Asked further about the criticism, Pope Leo said, “I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the Church is here to do.”
“We are not politicians,” he said. “We don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker.”
Trump, in his statement, also said he did not want “a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States” and urged the pontiff to “focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician,” adding, “It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!”
The exchange came as the Pope began his apostolic journey to North Africa, which he described as “the first of the pontificate,” with peace as its central theme.
“I say this to all world leaders, not only him [Trump]: let us end wars and promote peace and reconciliation,” he said.
Highlighting the legacy of St. Augustine as “a very important bridge in interreligious dialogue,” the Pope said the visit serves a broader purpose “for the Church and for the world, because we must always seek bridges to build peace and reconciliation.”
Pope Leo reiterated the mission of the journey: “promote peace, reconciliation, respect, and consideration for all peoples.”
