Pope Leo Says Not Interested in Debating Trump, Keeps Focus on Peace
Pope Leo Says Not Interested in Debating Trump, Keeps Focus on Peace
On an Africa tour, Pope Leo says he won’t debate Trump over the Iran conflict, stressing peace, dialogue, and preaching the gospel over political clashes.
On an 11-day African tour, Pope Leo said it is not in his interest to engage in a debate with President Donald Trump about the United States war with Iran, and he will continue to preach the gospel. Much of what has been written since then, he noted, has been commentary on commentary and misinterpretation of his words.
During a stop in Angola, he underscored his preference for dialogue and peace over heated political clashes, emphasizing that religious leadership should transcend partisan discourse. The pontiff has consistently called for a path of peace and has urged restraint amid rising tensions in the region.
The pope also addressed Trump’s recent Truth Social posts, in which the president attacked him as “WEAK” and accused him of “catering to the Radical Left” while making disputed claims about Iran. Leo said he is not afraid of the Trump administration and reiterated his dedication to dialogue rather than public sparring.
Leo described threats to annihilate Iranian civilization as “truly unacceptable,” and he pushed back against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s call to pray for U.S. victory in Iran “in the name of Jesus Christ.” While some observers interpreted his remarks as a critique of Trump’s stance, Leo clarified that the words were written weeks ago, before the latest online criticisms.
Earlier in the Cameroon leg of the trip, he spoke about the global suffering caused by tyrants and warmongers, framing his remarks as a plea for peace and responsible leadership. The pope’s approach remains focused on diplomacy, urging leaders to pursue negotiations that protect civilians and uphold human dignity.
