Pope Leo says he ‘doesn’t fear’ Trump after US President’s Iran criticism
Pope Leo said that he was not making a direct attack against Trump or anyone else with his general appeal for peace and criticisms of the "delusion of omnipotence" that is fuelling the Iran wars and other conflicts around the world.
"I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel and inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, and looking for ways to avoid war any time that's possible". (File image)
After US President Donald Trump remarked that he does not want a pontiff who thinks it’s okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, Pope Leo XIV retorted, saying he does not fear the Republican administration and added that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel.
“To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here, I think is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” Leo told AP.
“And I’m sorry to hear that, but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today,” said Pope Leo, further underlining that he does not want to enter into debate.
Pope Leo said that he was not making a direct attack against Trump or anyone else with his general appeal for peace and criticisms of the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fuelling the Iran wars and other conflicts around the world.
“I will not enter into debate. The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone. The message of the Gospel is very clear: Blessed are the peacemakers,” Leo said.
“I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel and inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, and looking for ways to avoid war any time that’s possible.” He added: “I have no fear of the Trump administration.”
In the unusual trade of barbs between a US leader and a Pope, the Republican President on Sunday said he didn’t think the US-born global leader of the Catholic Church is “doing a very good job” and that “he’s a very liberal person”. Trump also urged the pontiff to “stop catering to the Radical Left”.
Story continues below this ad
In a lengthy social media post while flying back to Washington from Florida, Trump critised Pope Leo and continued his curt remarks soon after deplaning, in comments on the tarmac to reporters, saying, “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo.”
Before that, Pope Leo suggested that a “delusion of omnipotence” is fuelling the US-Israel war in Iran.”Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump wrote in his post, adding, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.”
Reiterating his stance, while addressing media, Trump said, “We don’t like a pope who says it’s OK to have a nuclear weapon.” Afterwards, Trump went on to post an image implying he had saint-like powers akin to those of Jesus Christ.
Clad in a biblical-style robe, Trump was seen laying hands on a bedridden man as light emerges from his fingers, while a soldier, a nurse, a praying woman and a bearded man in a baseball cap all look on admiringly. The sky above is filled with eagles, an American flag and vaporous images.
The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.
A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.
All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.
Core Team
The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:
Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.
Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.
Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More
