Pope Leo XIV has firmly responded to criticisms from Donald Trump, declaring he is not intimidated by the US administration and will continue to speak out on global issues.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking to journalists aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria, the pontiff stressed that his mission — and that of the Catholic Church — is rooted in the Gospel, not political alignment.
“I have no fear of your 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,” the pope said.
He added, “We are not politicians. We don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective you might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker.”
The remarks follow a sharp criticism from Trump, who accused the pope of adopting a liberal stance on global security issues. The two leaders have repeatedly clashed over the Iran conflict and migration policies, with the US president opposing the Vatican’s position on military actions and border enforcement.
Tensions between both figures have persisted since Pope Leo’s historic election in 2025 as the first American to lead the Catholic Church. Although Trump initially described the development as a “great honour” for the United States, relations quickly deteriorated over disagreements on war, migration, and the role of religion in governance.
Pope Leo has been outspoken in his opposition to the Iran war, describing it as unjust and warning against what he termed a “delusion of omnipotence” driving global conflicts. He has also rejected the use of religion to justify violence, insisting that “God does not bless any conflict” and calling on world leaders to prioritise dialogue and mediation.
On migration, the pontiff has criticised the Trump administration’s policies, describing mass deportations and strict enforcement measures as inhumane and inconsistent with human dignity.
Despite the growing tensions, Pope Leo reiterated his commitment to peace, maintaining that the Church will continue to address moral issues regardless of political pressure.
