Pope Leo XIV responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent statements, saying: ‘I am not a politician, I speak of the Gospel,’ adding that he will “continue to speak strongly against war, seeking to promote peace and dialogue.”
Pope Leo, who spoke during the short flight to Algiers, Algeria where he began his African Papal visit, answered questions about the statements of President Trump against him on the Truth Social network, said since he does not see his role as that of a politician, “I do not want to enter into a debate with him.”
The Pope added, “I do not think the message of the Gospel should be abused as some are doing. I continue to speak strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, dialogue, and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems. Too many people are suffering today, too many innocent lives have been lost, and I believe someone must stand up and say there is a better way.”
The Pope then renewed the same call with which he began his pontificate: peace. “I say this to all world leaders, not only him [President Trump]: let us end wars and promote peace and reconciliation.”
Responding to an American journalist who asked the same question, the Holy Father explained, “I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the Church is here to do.”
“We are not politicians,” he argued. “We don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker.”
President Trump launched a sweeping and deeply personal assault on Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, targeting the first American Pope over his criticism of US military action in Iran and Venezuela, an extraordinary public feud between the leader of the free world and the leader of the Catholic Church.
“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump wrote, in what became the defining line of a tirade that ran to several hundred words and touched on immigration, nuclear weapons, Venezuela, COVID-era church closures and the pope’s brother.
Speaking to reporters shortly afterwards, Trump was equally blunt. “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job,” he said, adding, “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo.”
He concluded with a direct instruction to the head of the world’s largest Christian denomination: “Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church.”
An ongoing message of peace
Peace is one of the guiding themes of this Apostolic Journey to four African nations. This journey, Pope Leo explained, is special for a number of reasons, including that it was meant to be “the first of the pontificate.”
He expressed his joy at being able to revisit the land of St. Augustine, who, the Pope said, “offers a very important bridge in interreligious dialogue.” This opportunity to travel to the place where this North African saint served as bishop is a blessing for the Pope, but, he stressed, “also for the Church and for the world, because we must always seek bridges to build peace and reconciliation.”
The Pope addressed questions regarding the US President’s statements against him
The Pope addressed questions regarding the US President’s statements against him (@Vatican Media)
He closed his greeting to journalists by highlighting the journey’s overall mission—to continue forward with the “same voice and the same message: what we want to do is promote peace, reconciliation, respect, and consideration for all peoples.”
On the ground in Algeria
The papal plane touched down in the capital city of Algiers, and Pope Leo was welcomed by the President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Greeted by rainy weather, the Holy Father went directly into the Salon d’Honneur (Hall of Honor) of the airport, where a young girl in traditional dress presented him with flowers before the Honor Guard performed different anthems. Following the welcome ceremony, Pope Leo had a brief private meeting with President Tebboune.
The President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria welcomed the Pope
The President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria welcomed the Pope (@Vatican Media)
After the private audience, the Pope traveled to the Maqam Echahid (Martyrs’ Memorial) for his first stop during the three-day visit to Algeria.
Written with reports from Vatican News
Culled from Globalupfront.
