Pope Leo XIV said on Saturday that he was not trying to debate US President Donald Trump over the Iran war, despite recent exchanges. Speaking to reporters on a flight from Cameroon to Angola, the pontiff clarified that his peace messages are rooted in the Gospel, not political commentary.
The pope addressed what he called a 'certain narrative that has not been accurate' following Trump's criticism of his remarks. Trump had accused Leo of being 'weak on crime' and falsely claimed the pope said 'Iran can have a nuclear weapon'. Leo has consistently denounced nuclear weapons and called Trump's threat to annihilate Iranian civilisation 'truly unacceptable'.
Leo emphasised that his comments at a peace meeting in Bamenda, Cameroon, were written two weeks before Trump's attacks, and were not intended as a debate. The Vatican has stressed that the pope's peace calls apply to all conflicts, including the war in Ukraine.
Trump's attacks have divided his Christian followers, with some defending him and others expressing disgust. Fox News host Sean Hannity even declared he no longer considers himself a Catholic, citing institutional corruption.
