Pope Leo XIV, after being criticized by U.S. President Donald Trump for his remarks on the U.S.-Iran war, stated today that he has no intention of debating Trump and will continue to speak out against war. He called for peace on April 11, condemning the "madness of war." Trump subsequently criticized the Pope on social media, calling him "weak on crime, terrible on foreign policy." During his flight to Algiers, Algeria, the Pope emphasized that he is not a politician and his message is to promote peace, stating he will continue to speak loudly against war to foster peace, dialogue, and multilateral relations among nations for a just resolution. Algeria is the first stop of Pope Leo XIV's inaugural African visit, during which he is scheduled to visit four countries within 10 days.
Pope Leo XIV, after being directly criticized by U.S. President Donald Trump for his statements regarding the U.S.-Iran war, declared today that he has no intention of debating Trump and will continue to advocate against war. According to Reuters and AFP, Leo XIV, originally from Chicago, USA, has been outspoken in recent weeks against the U.S. and Israeli war on Iran. On April 11, he called for peace and condemned the "madness of war." The following day, Trump posted criticism of Leo XIV, stating he was "weak on crime, terrible on foreign policy," apparently in response to the Pope's comments on the Middle East conflict and the White House's strict immigration policies. On April 13, aboard the papal plane en route to Algiers, the capital of the North African nation Algeria, Leo XIV told accompanying journalists in English, "I am not a politician, and I have no intention of debating him (Trump). The message is always the same: to promote peace." He added, "I don't think the message of the Gospel should be misused as some people are doing... The message that the Church, I, or the Gospel want to convey is: Blessed are the peacemakers." The Pope further stated, "Too many people are suffering in the world today, too many innocent people are being killed. I believe someone needs to stand up and say there is a better way." He clarified, "I do not see my role as political, that is, as a politician." However, he also affirmed, "I will continue to speak loudly against war, to promote peace, dialogue, and multilateral relations among nations to seek a just solution to problems." Algeria is the first stop of Leo XIV's first African visit, during which he is scheduled to visit four countries within 10 days.
FACT BOX
- Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
- Category: regulation
FAQ
What did Pope Leo XIV say about his role in relation to politics during his flight to Algiers on April 13?
On April 13, aboard the papal plane en route to Algiers, Pope Leo XIV stated, 'I do not see my role as political, that is, as a politician,' emphasizing his focus on promoting peace rather than engaging in political debate.
Why did President Donald Trump criticize Pope Leo XIV according to the article?
President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV for his comments on the Middle East conflict and the White House's strict immigration policies, calling him 'weak on crime, terrible on foreign policy' in a social media post on April 12.
What was Pope Leo XIV's response to President Trump's criticism regarding the U.S.-Iran war?
Pope Leo XIV responded on April 13 by stating he has no intention of debating Trump and affirmed he will continue to speak out against war, promote peace, and advocate for dialogue and multilateral relations among nations.
What message did Pope Leo XIV emphasize as central to the Gospel during his remarks on April 13?
On April 13, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the Gospel's message is 'Blessed are the peacemakers,' and he stressed that the Church's mission is to promote peace and oppose the misuse of religious teachings for political purposes.
Which country was Pope Leo XIV visiting on April 13 and what was its significance in his travel schedule?
On April 13, Pope Leo XIV was en route to Algiers, Algeria, marking the first stop of his 10-day, four-country visit to Africa, his first continental tour of the region as Pope.