Pontiff will continue promoting peace despite U.S. president’s remarks.

On Monday, Pope Leo XIV responded to statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who called him “weak on crime” and “terrible on foreign policy.”

“No, I have no fear of the Trump administration, nor of proclaiming the message of the Gospel loudly, which is what I believe I am here to do, and why the Church is here,” the Catholic leader told reporters during a flight to Algeria.

“We are not politicians; we do not view foreign policy from the same perspective, but rather as builders of peace,” Leo XIV said calmly.

“I do not believe the message of the Gospel should be distorted as some are doing. I continue to speak out strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, dialogue and multilateralism with states to find solutions to problems. Too many people are suffering today, too many innocent people have died, and I believe someone must raise their voice.”

“The things I say should not be understood as an attack on anyone. The message of the Gospel is very clear: Blessed are the peacemakers,” Leo XIV stressed.

“This is what I believe I must do, what the Church must do. We are not politicians; we do not deal with international politics from the same perspective that he (Trump) may have. I believe in the message of the Gospel, which is to build peace,” Leo XIV commented, inviting “everyone to find ways to build bridges of peace and reconciliation, to seek ways to avoid war whenever possible.”

“I believe the president is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” the pontiff asserted, saying he regrets Trump’s remarks but will continue with his mission.

He even joked when asked about the post on Truth Social, Trump’s platform: “The name of the website is already ironic, to say the least…”

Disagreements between the pope and the president of his country of birth have been mounting. The trigger was Leo XIV’s open criticism of one of Trump’s actions, specifically his threat to end “an entire civilization” in his conflict with Iran.

Without naming him, the pope called it unacceptable and urged the faithful to “communicate” with members of Congress to call for peace.

In his Holy Week homilies, he denounced the “dark hour” the world is experiencing because of war, lamenting “a humanity on its knees because of so many examples of brutality,” and describing as “blasphemous” the rulers who “seek to win by killing” or “perceive themselves as powerful when they dominate.”

Leo XIV also said that “God does not bless any conflict,” and that those who are “disciples of Christ” are never on the side “of those who once wielded the sword and now drop bombs,” during a meeting at the Vatican with members of the Synod of the Chaldean Church of Baghdad.

The pontiff has also made clear he will not travel to his country of birth this year, even as it marks the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence. Instead, he will travel to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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