Pope Leo XIV said he has “no fear of the Trump administration” after facing sharp criticism from Donald Trump over his opposition to the U.S.-led military campaign involving Iran, highlighting a rare public clash between the Vatican and Washington.
Speaking to reporters aboard a papal flight to Algeria, the Chicago-born pontiff said he would continue speaking out against war and promoting reconciliation despite political criticism. He emphasized that the Church’s message is rooted in the Gospel and is not intended as a personal attack on any political leader.
“I have no fear of the Trump administration,” the pope said, adding that his role is to advocate for peace and dialogue rather than engage in political disputes. He also warned against what he described as the misuse of religious language to justify conflict.
The exchange followed strong remarks from President Trump, who criticized the pontiff’s stance on the Iran conflict and described him as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.” Trump also suggested the pope should focus more on religious leadership than political commentary.
Pope Leo has repeatedly condemned the war involving Iran, saying that “God does not bless any conflict” and urging world leaders to pursue diplomacy rather than escalation.
Despite the criticism, the pope stressed he does not intend to enter into a direct debate with the president and will continue encouraging dialogue and multilateral solutions to global conflicts. He said the Church’s mission remains centered on peace and reconciliation at a time when “too many innocent people are being killed.”
The public disagreement underscores growing tensions between the Vatican and the Trump administration over foreign policy, particularly regarding the Middle East, and reflects a broader debate over the role of religious leaders in addressing global conflicts.
