Pope Says He Doesn’t Fear Trump, Has ‘Moral Duty’ To Speak Out Against War

Pope Leo XIV said he has “a moral duty” to speak out against war and does not “fear” Donald Trump, amid criticism from the US leader over his calls for peace in the Middle East.

The pope made the remarks while travelling from Rome to Algiers for a papal visit, after Trump criticised his stance on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, triggered by a joint Israel-US attack on Iran in late February.

Trump said the pope’s comments were wrong, arguing that Iran’s nuclear ambitions must be stopped, and added that he was “not a big fan” of the pontiff.

In response, Pope Leo XIV said he had “no intention to debate with” Trump, stressing that he is “not a politician.”

“What I am saying is that the mission of the Church is very clear,” he said. “The Gospel says… blessed are the peacemakers. I believe that the Church has a moral duty to speak out very clearly against war and in favour of peace and reconciliation.”

He added: “I have no fear, neither of the Trump administration, nor speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described Trump’s criticism as “unacceptable,” saying it is right for the pope to call for peace and condemn war.

‘Forgiveness’

In his first speech in Algiers, the pope paid tribute to victims of Algeria’s 1954–1962 war of independence from France and called for “forgiveness.”

The remarks came amid heightened tensions between Algeria and France, following a recent meeting with Emmanuel Macron at the Vatican.

“At this place, let us remember that God desires peace for every nation,” he said at the Algerian Martyrs Memorial.

The visit carries personal significance for the pope, as Algeria is the homeland of Saint Augustine, whose teachings strongly influence his leadership. Pope Leo XIV has often described himself as a “son” of Augustine and frequently references his writings.

He described the trip as “a very precious opportunity” to promote peace and reconciliation among nations.

The pope has also criticised Trump’s threats against civilians in Iran and previously condemned the administration’s treatment of migrants as “inhuman.”

Trump had earlier called the pope “weak on crime” and criticised his foreign policy views, also suggesting he was elected pope because he is American.

Meanwhile, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned a social media post by Trump depicting himself in a religious image, describing it as an insult.

African Tour

The pope’s African tour includes visits to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, covering over 18,000 kilometres between April 13 and 23.

During his stay in Algeria, he visited the Great Mosque of Algiers and the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, overlooking the Bay of Algiers.

He is also scheduled to visit Annaba, formerly the ancient Roman city of Hippo, where Saint Augustine once lived. There, he plans to pray privately in a chapel dedicated to clergy killed during Algeria’s civil war between 1992 and 2002.

However, he will not visit the Tibhirine monastery, where monks were kidnapped and murdered in 1996.

Although Algeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of worship under certain conditions, human rights groups have raised concerns about ongoing restrictions on religious minorities, urging the pope to address the issue during his visit.