Pope Leo XIV has responded to recent criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, choosing a measured tone while emphasizing his commitment to peace and non-political use of religious teachings.
The pontiff, who is the first American-born Pope and has consistently spoken out on global conflicts, was criticised by Trump on Sunday. The former president, speaking on Truth Social and to reporters, said he was “not a big fan” of the Pope, describing him as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.” He also alleged that the Vatican was overly sympathetic to left-leaning views and too soft on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
In his response, Pope Leo avoided direct confrontation, stating that he had no interest in engaging in a public dispute. Instead, he stressed that the message of the Gospel should not be used as a tool in political debates.
“I don’t think the message of the Gospel is meant to be misused in the way some people are doing,” he said.
The Pope reaffirmed his dedication to promoting peace, dialogue, and cooperation among nations. He noted that he would continue to speak out against war while encouraging multilateral engagement to resolve global challenges.
“I will continue to speak out strongly against war, promote peace, and encourage dialogue and cooperation among nations in the search for fair and lasting solutions,” he added.
The exchange highlights rising tensions over global conflicts and foreign policy approaches, with the Pope maintaining his stance on diplomacy and restraint. The Vatican has not released any further official statement on the issue.
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