Pope Leo XIV has downplayed his public disagreement with US President Donald Trump, insisting that any debate with the American leader is not the focus of his ongoing visit to Africa.
The first American pope addressed the issue on Saturday while speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane en route from Cameroon to Angola.
“It’s not in my interest” to debate President Trump, Leo XIV said, adding that a certain narrative about his trip “has not been accurate in all of its aspects” due to comments made by the US president on the first day of the journey.
The pontiff clarified that a recent speech in Bamenda, Cameroon, criticising “a handful of tyrants” and leaders spending billions on war had been prepared two weeks earlier, well before Trump’s remarks.
“And yet, as it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate again the president, which is not in my interest at all,” he stated.
Leo XIV stressed that his 11-day tour of four African countries — Algeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Angola — is primarily pastoral. “I primarily come to Africa as a pastor, as the head of the Catholic Church, to be with, to celebrate with, to encourage and accompany all of the Catholics throughout Africa,” he explained.
He described the visit’s core message as one of “dialogue, promotion of fraternity, true understanding, acceptance, peacebuilding with people of all faiths.”
The spat began when Trump criticised the pope on social media shortly after Leo’s departure on April 13, targeting his advocacy for peace amid conflicts including the situation in the Middle East and Iran.
Earlier in the trip, the pope had said he had “no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly” the message of the Gospel.
US Vice President JD Vance later posted on X, acknowledging real disagreements but noting that “the reality is often much more complicated.” He added that the pope “preaches the gospel, as he should,” while the administration works to apply moral principles in a complex world.
Africa is home to roughly one-fifth of the world’s Catholics, making the lengthy tour a significant event for the Church under Leo’s pontificate.
The pope’s comments aim to refocus attention on peacebuilding and pastoral duties amid the media attention generated by the transatlantic exchange. No further reaction from the White House was immediately available.
