Pope Leo XIV has declined to engage in a direct political confrontation with US President Donald Trump, insisting his role is to promote the Gospel message of peace rather than enter partisan debate.
Speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria on Monday, the pontiff responded to recent criticism from Trump regarding his stance on the ongoing Middle East conflict.
“I think that the people who read will be able to draw their own conclusions: I am not a politician, I have no intention of entering into a debate with him,” Leo XIV said.
He emphasised that his priority remains ending wars and fostering dialogue. “Rather, let us always seek peace and put an end to wars. I am not afraid of the Trump administration. I speak about the Gospel, I am not a politician,” he added.
The Pope further stressed that the Gospel should not be misused for political ends. “I do not think the message of the Gospel should be abused in the way some people are doing. I will continue to speak out loudly against war, to try to promote peace, multilateral dialogue between states in order to seek the right solution to problems,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Leo XIV reiterated the Church’s core mission. “The message of the Church is the message of the Gospel, blessed are the peacemakers; I do not see my role as that of a politician, I do not want to enter into a debate with him. Too many people are suffering in the world.”
Trump Posts AI-Generated Photo Of Himself As Jesus Christ
United States President Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy after sharing an AI-generated image that appeared to portray him as Jesus Christ, drawing backlash from some of his supporters and members of the Catholic community on social media.
The development followed a blistering and unusually personal attack by the president on Pope Leo XIV, whom he accused of poor leadership on crime, global security and politics.
The comments come amid heightened global tensions following US-Israeli military actions against Iran and Trump’s public criticism of religious leaders calling for restraint.
