Pope Leo Responds to Trump, Has 'No Fear'

Pope Leo XIV on Monday shrugged off sharp criticism from President Trump, who accused the pontiff of being weak on crime and "catering to the Radical Left." Speaking to reporters aboard a flight to Algeria, Leo said: "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," reports NBC News. "The things I say are not meant as attacks on anyone," added the American pope. "I do not look at my role as being political, a politician. I don't want to get into a debate with him. I don't think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing."

The pope has repeatedly criticized the Iran war, particularly Trump's threat to wipe out the nation's entire civilization, and Leo promised Monday that he "will continue to speak out loudly against the war," per the New York Times. He has also been critical of the Trump administration's immigration policies. Trump swiped back on Truth Social as well in comments to reporters on Sunday. "We don't like a pope that's going to say that it's OK to have a nuclear weapon," he said. "We don't want a pope that says crime is OK in our cities. I don't like it. I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo."

When Leo was elected pope in May, Trump called it a "great honor" for America, but things have changed. "I am disheartened that the President chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father," wrote Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. "Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls."