Pope Leo XIV Responds to Trump's Harsh Criticism: I Am Not a Politician

The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, has responded to the harsh criticism levelled by United States President Donald Trump. The Pontiff replied that he “has no intention of debating”. Pope Leo responded to Trump’s jibes to the media aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria, his first visit to Africa, as quoted by AFP via detikNews on Monday (13/4/2026). “I am not a politician,” said Pope Leo. “I have no intention of debating with him (Trump). The message remains the same: to promote peace,” he stated. It is known that Trump once issued strong condemnation of the Pope, whose real name is Robert Francis Prevos. Trump reacted after Pope Leo XIV criticised him regarding the war between the US-Israel and Iran. In his condemnation, the 79-year-old president described Pope Leo XIV as “very bad at foreign policy”. “We do not like a Pope who says that having nuclear weapons is okay. … He is someone who does not think that we should mess around with countries that want nuclear weapons, so they can destroy the world,” Trump said in his criticism. “I am not a fan of Pope Leo,” added the US President. Pope Leo XIV, the first Pope from the US, has been very vocal in opposing the war waged by the US and Israel against Iran since 28 February. Last week, the 70-year-old Pope condemned Trump’s statement threatening to “annihilate Iranian civilisation” if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened immediately, calling it “completely unacceptable”. In a post on his social media platform, Social Truth, Trump issued a longer condemnation of Pope Leo XIV, whom he called “weak”. “I do not want a Pope who criticises the President of the United States,” Trump said. Trump also added a claim that Pope Leo “was not on the list to become Pope, and was only placed there by the Church because he is American, and they thought it would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.”