Pope Leo XIV Responds to Trump’s Scathing Attack

Pope Leo XIV has addressed recent criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, saying he will not be drawn into political confrontation and intends to keep his focus on religious duties and calls for peace.

Speaking to journalists aboard the papal aircraft on Monday while traveling to Algeria, the pontiff separated his role from partisan debate, even as tensions rose following remarks from Donald Trump.

“I am not a politician, I have no intention of entering into a debate with him,” he said, adding that public audiences are free to interpret the situation without further exchange.

The Pope stressed that his work is centered on faith and moral teaching rather than political engagement. He said his public message will continue to focus on peacebuilding and dialogue between nations, particularly in relation to ongoing global conflicts.

“I will continue to speak out loudly against war… and promote peace, multilateral dialogue between states,” he said.

He also warned against what he described as the selective use of religious language in political arguments, saying the Gospel message should not be used to serve political narratives. According to him, the Church’s position remains consistent: advocating peace and compassion.

Pope Leo added that external pressure from Washington would not alter his position. While rejecting the idea of direct confrontation, he made clear he would not retreat from speaking on humanitarian concerns.

“I am not afraid of the Trump administration,” he said, while reiterating that his role is not political in nature.

His comments follow a series of strong criticisms from Trump, who accused the Pope of weak leadership on global security issues and questioned his approach to international conflicts in a post on Truth Social. Trump also suggested, without evidence, that the papal appointment carried political influence.

Rather than respond in kind, the Pope continued to emphasize negotiation and restraint in global affairs.

Earlier remarks made at St. Peter’s Basilica reflected a similar position, where he urged global leaders to step back from escalating tensions and prioritize diplomacy over confrontation.