American-born Pope Leo XIV pushed again Monday on President Donald Trump’s broadside in opposition to him over the U.S.-Israel struggle in Iran, telling The Related Press that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted within the Gospel, and that he doesn’t worry the Trump administration.“To place my message on the identical airplane as what the president has tried to do right here, I believe just isn’t understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” Leo advised AP aboard the papal airplane en path to Algeria. “And I’m sorry to listen to that however I’ll proceed on what I consider is the mission of the church on this planet at this time.”Historical past’s first U.S.-born pope confused that he was not making a direct assault in opposition to Trump or anybody else together with his basic attraction for peace and criticisms of the “delusion of omnipotence” that’s fueling the Iran wars and different conflicts all over the world.“I can’t enter into debate. The issues that I say are actually not meant as assaults on anybody. The message of the Gospel may be very clear: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’” Leo mentioned.“I can’t draw back from asserting the message of the Gospel and welcoming all folks to search for methods of constructing bridges of peace and reconciliation, and in search of methods to keep away from struggle any time that’s attainable.”Chatting with different reporters, he added: “I’ve no worry of the Trump administration.”Trump delivered a unprecedented broadside in opposition to Leo on Sunday night time, saying he did not suppose the U.S.-born international chief of the Catholic Church is “doing an excellent job” and that “he is a really liberal particular person,” whereas additionally suggesting the pontiff ought to “cease catering to the Radical Left.”Flying again to Washington from Florida, Trump used a prolonged social media publish to sharply criticize Leo, then saved it up after deplaning, in feedback on the tarmac to reporters.“I’m not a fan of Pope Leo,” he mentioned.Trump’s feedback got here after Leo recommended over the weekend {that a} “delusion of omnipotence” is fueling the U.S.-Israel struggle in Iran. Whereas it’s commonplace for popes and presidents to be at cross functions, it’s exceedingly uncommon for the pope to straight criticize a U.S. chief — and Trump’s stinging response is equally unusual, if no more so.“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and horrible for International Coverage,” the president wrote in his publish, including, “I don’t need a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.”He repeated that sentiment in feedback to reporters, saying, “We don’t like a pope who says it’s OK to have a nuclear weapon.”Later, Trump posted an image suggesting he had saint-like powers akin to these of Jesus Christ. Carrying a biblical-style gown, Trump is seen laying arms on a bedridden man as mild emanates from his fingers, whereas a soldier, a nurse, a praying lady and a bearded man in a baseball cap all look on admiringly. The sky above is crammed with eagles, an American flag and vaporous pictures.All of that got here after Leo presided over a night prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, the identical day the US and Iran started face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan throughout a fragile ceasefire. The pope didn’t point out the US or Trump by identify, however his tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officers, who’ve boasted of U.S. navy superiority and justified the struggle in non secular phrases.Leo, who’s on an 11-day journey to Africa beginning Monday — has beforehand mentioned that God “doesn’t hearken to the prayers of those that wage struggle, however rejects them.” He is additionally referenced an Previous Testomony passage from Isaiah, saying that “although you make many prayers, I can’t pay attention — your arms are filled with blood.”Earlier than the ceasefire, when Trump warned of mass strikes in opposition to Iranian energy vegetation and different infrastructure and that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” Leo described such sentiments as “really unacceptable.”In his social media publish on Sunday night time, nonetheless, Trump went far past the struggle in Iran in criticizing Leo.The president wrote, “I don’t need a Pope who thinks it’s horrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Nation that was sending huge quantities of Medication into the US.” That was a reference to the Trump administration having ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January.“I don’t need a Pope who criticizes the President of the US as a result of I’m doing precisely what I used to be elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do,” Trump added, referencing his 2024 election victory.He additionally recommended within the publish that Leo solely bought his place “as a result of he was an American, they usually thought that might be one of the simplest ways to take care of President Donald J. Trump.”“If I wasn’t within the White Home, Leo wouldn’t be within the Vatican,” Trump wrote, including, “Leo ought to get his act collectively as Pope, use Frequent Sense, cease catering to the Radical Left, and deal with being a Nice Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, extra importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!”In his subsequent feedback to reporters, Trump remained extremely important, saying of Leo, “I don’t suppose he’s doing an excellent job. He likes crime I suppose” and including, “He’s a really liberal particular person.”Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Convention of Catholic Bishops, issued a press release saying he was “disheartened” by Trump’s feedback.“Pope Leo just isn’t his rival; neither is the Pope a politician. He’s the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the reality of the Gospel and for the care of souls,” Coakley mentioned.Within the 2024 election, Trump received 55% of Catholic voters, in response to AP VoteCast, an in depth survey of the citizens. However Trump’s administration additionally has shut ties to conservative evangelical Protestant leaders and has claimed heavenly endorsement for the struggle on Iran.Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Individuals to hope for victory “within the identify of Jesus Christ.” And, when Trump was requested whether or not he thought God permitted of the struggle, he mentioned, “I do, as a result of God is sweet — as a result of God is sweet and God desires to see folks taken care of.”—Winfield reported from aboard the papal airplane.
American-born Pope Leo XIV pushed again Monday on President Donald Trump’s broadside in opposition to him over the U.S.-Israel struggle in Iran, telling The Related Press that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted within the Gospel, and that he doesn’t worry the Trump administration.
“To place my message on the identical airplane as what the president has tried to do right here, I believe just isn’t understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” Leo advised AP aboard the papal airplane en path to Algeria. “And I’m sorry to listen to that however I’ll proceed on what I consider is the mission of the church on this planet at this time.”
Historical past’s first U.S.-born pope confused that he was not making a direct assault in opposition to Trump or anybody else together with his basic attraction for peace and criticisms of the “delusion of omnipotence” that’s fueling the Iran wars and different conflicts all over the world.
“I can’t enter into debate. The issues that I say are actually not meant as assaults on anybody. The message of the Gospel may be very clear: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’” Leo mentioned.
“I can’t draw back from asserting the message of the Gospel and welcoming all folks to search for methods of constructing bridges of peace and reconciliation, and in search of methods to keep away from struggle any time that’s attainable.”
Chatting with different reporters, he added: “I’ve no worry of the Trump administration.”
Trump delivered a unprecedented broadside in opposition to Leo on Sunday night time, saying he did not suppose the U.S.-born international chief of the Catholic Church is “doing an excellent job” and that “he is a really liberal particular person,” whereas additionally suggesting the pontiff ought to “cease catering to the Radical Left.”
Flying again to Washington from Florida, Trump used a prolonged social media publish to sharply criticize Leo, then saved it up after deplaning, in feedback on the tarmac to reporters.
“I’m not a fan of Pope Leo,” he mentioned.
Trump’s feedback got here after Leo recommended over the weekend {that a} “delusion of omnipotence” is fueling the U.S.-Israel struggle in Iran. Whereas it’s commonplace for popes and presidents to be at cross functions, it’s exceedingly uncommon for the pope to straight criticize a U.S. chief — and Trump’s stinging response is equally unusual, if no more so.
“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and horrible for International Coverage,” the president wrote in his publish, including, “I don’t need a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.”
He repeated that sentiment in feedback to reporters, saying, “We don’t like a pope who says it’s OK to have a nuclear weapon.”
Later, Trump posted an image suggesting he had saint-like powers akin to these of Jesus Christ. Carrying a biblical-style gown, Trump is seen laying arms on a bedridden man as mild emanates from his fingers, whereas a soldier, a nurse, a praying lady and a bearded man in a baseball cap all look on admiringly. The sky above is crammed with eagles, an American flag and vaporous pictures.
All of that got here after Leo presided over a night prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, the identical day the US and Iran started face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan throughout a fragile ceasefire. The pope didn’t point out the US or Trump by identify, however his tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officers, who’ve boasted of U.S. navy superiority and justified the struggle in non secular phrases.
Leo, who’s on an 11-day journey to Africa beginning Monday — has beforehand mentioned that God “doesn’t hearken to the prayers of those that wage struggle, however rejects them.” He is additionally referenced an Previous Testomony passage from Isaiah, saying that “although you make many prayers, I can’t pay attention — your arms are filled with blood.”
Earlier than the ceasefire, when Trump warned of mass strikes in opposition to Iranian energy vegetation and different infrastructure and that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” Leo described such sentiments as “really unacceptable.”
In his social media publish on Sunday night time, nonetheless, Trump went far past the struggle in Iran in criticizing Leo.
The president wrote, “I don’t need a Pope who thinks it’s horrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Nation that was sending huge quantities of Medication into the US.” That was a reference to the Trump administration having ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January.
“I don’t need a Pope who criticizes the President of the US as a result of I’m doing precisely what I used to be elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do,” Trump added, referencing his 2024 election victory.
He additionally recommended within the publish that Leo solely bought his place “as a result of he was an American, they usually thought that might be one of the simplest ways to take care of President Donald J. Trump.”
“If I wasn’t within the White Home, Leo wouldn’t be within the Vatican,” Trump wrote, including, “Leo ought to get his act collectively as Pope, use Frequent Sense, cease catering to the Radical Left, and deal with being a Nice Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, extra importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!”
In his subsequent feedback to reporters, Trump remained extremely important, saying of Leo, “I don’t suppose he’s doing an excellent job. He likes crime I suppose” and including, “He’s a really liberal particular person.”
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Convention of Catholic Bishops, issued a press release saying he was “disheartened” by Trump’s feedback.
“Pope Leo just isn’t his rival; neither is the Pope a politician. He’s the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the reality of the Gospel and for the care of souls,” Coakley mentioned.
Within the 2024 election, Trump received 55% of Catholic voters, in response to AP VoteCast, an in depth survey of the citizens. However Trump’s administration additionally has shut ties to conservative evangelical Protestant leaders and has claimed heavenly endorsement for the struggle on Iran.
Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Individuals to hope for victory “within the identify of Jesus Christ.” And, when Trump was requested whether or not he thought God permitted of the struggle, he mentioned, “I do, as a result of God is sweet — as a result of God is sweet and God desires to see folks taken care of.”
—
Winfield reported from aboard the papal airplane.
