Pope Leo XIV Says “I Have No Fear” as He Responds to Trump’s Attacks
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- Pope Leo XIV responded to President Donald Trump’s recent social media attacks, stating he harbours “no fear” of the US administration and will continue his primary mission as a global peacemaker.
- Speaking to journalists en route to Algeria, the pontiff dismissed Trump’s claims that he is weak on foreign policy, clarifying that the Church’s gospel-driven mission differs vastly from secular political agendas.
- The Pope’s remarks defending his diplomatic and moral stance come at the start of a 10-day apostolic tour across Africa, where he aims to promote peace and reconciliation across the Global South.
Pope Leo XIV has pushed back against a recent verbal assault from United States President Donald Trump, asserting en route to Africa that he harbours “no fear” of the current US administration and remains committed to his role as a global “peacemaker”.
Addressing the press corps aboard the papal flight to Algeria on Monday, the pontiff responded to a late-night social media tirade by Trump, who had labelled the Catholic leader as “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.”
“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,” the Pope told journalists.
He further clarified the Vatican’s stance, noting, “We are not politicians. 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.”
Trump’s fiery remarks, initially posted on his Truth Social platform and reiterated to reporters before boarding Air Force One on Sunday evening, accused Pope Leo of misinterpreting his political platform. The US president even insinuated that the Chicago-born pontiff’s elevation to the papacy last year was partially indebted to Trump’s 2024 electoral victory, while also lambasting the Pope for allegedly taking a soft stance on international security flashpoints like Iran and Venezuela.
In response, the Pope firmly dismissed this framing of his previous statements, though he maintained that he had no desire to be dragged into a protracted political debate.
According to the Catholic news agency Crux Now, the pontiff emphasised that his critiques of global conflicts “are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone,” while firmly stating he would “not shy away from pronouncing the message of the Gospel.”
In response to a personal attack by President Donald Trump the night before, Pope Leo told journalists on the papal plane to Algeria:
“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… pic.twitter.com/zV6FuacGSM
— Courtney Mares (@catholicourtney) April 13, 2026
Drawing upon fundamental Christian doctrine, Pope Leo cited the beatitude, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” and called upon the international community to actively pursue “ways of building bridges for peace and reconciliation.”
He also dismissed any direct equivalency between his moral advocacy and the US president’s political manoeuvring. “To put my message on the same plane as what the President is attempting to do here is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” he remarked.
These candid remarks mark the beginning of the Pope’s extensive 10-day apostolic journey through Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, a tour designed to spotlight peace, interfaith dialogue, and the Catholic Church’s expanding footprint across the Global South.
Indonesianpost | mediaite.com
