Pope Leo XIV has declared that the world is being 'ravaged by a handful of tyrants' who spend billions on war, in remarks seen as an escalation of his feud with the White House over the US-Israel war on Iran. Speaking in Cameroon, the first American-born pontiff did not name Donald Trump directly but denounced leaders who invoke religion to justify violence.
'Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain,' Leo told a gathering at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda. He criticised the vast sums spent on 'killing and devastation' while resources for healing and education remain scarce.
The Pope's comments follow criticism from Vice-President JD Vance, who accused Leo of overstepping his role. In response, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement defending the Pope, emphasising that just war theory requires self-defence after all peace efforts have failed.
Meanwhile, the Miami Herald reported that the Trump administration has ended funding for a Catholic charity in Miami that shelters immigrant children. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami said the White House pulled an $11m contract, forcing the programme to shut down within three months.
