Pope Leo XIV states no intention to debate Trump, will continue to speak out against war.

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.