Pope Leo Responds to Trump's "Attack", Says This

Pope Leo XIV stated that he “has no intention of debating” US President Donald Trump. This comes after Trump criticised him over his comments on the US-Iran war.

“I am not a politician,” the Pope told journalists on the papal plane as they headed to Algeria for his first visit to Africa, quoted AFP on Monday (13/4/2026).

“I have no intention of debating with (Trump). The message is the same: to promote peace,” he explained.

Previously, Trump had posted a lengthy message on social media criticising Pope Leo XIV. He even called him “weak in handling crime” and “bad for foreign policy”.

“I do not want a Pope who thinks it’s okay for Iran to have nuclear weapons,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, quoted on Monday.

“Leo must correct his behaviour as Pope, use common sense, stop serving radical leftists, and focus on being a great Pope, not a politician,” he added.

Trump also claimed credit for Pope Leo’s election, stating that the church chose the first US-born Pope - elected last year - to win over the White House.

“If I were not in the White House, Leo would not be in the Vatican,” Trump said again.

Trump repeated the same during his time at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, US, with journalists, stating he is not a fan of the Pope, as reported by AFP.

“I am not a big fan of Pope Leo. He is a very liberal person, and he is someone who does not believe in stopping crime,” Trump told journalists, accusing the Pope of “toying with countries that want nuclear weapons”.