Pope Leo Reaffirms Anti-War Commitment Amid Trump's Scathing Remarks
Pope Leo has declared he will persist in speaking out against war after facing severe criticism from former US President Donald Trump, who labeled the pontiff as "weak" in a series of social media posts. The Pope, leader of approximately 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, emphasized his dedication to promoting peace despite the political backlash.
Trump's Social Media Outburst Targets Pontiff
In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump demanded that Pope Leo "focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician." The former president accused the pontiff of being "Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons" and suggested he should "stop catering to the Radical Left." Trump further claimed that Pope Leo should be "thankful" for his position, implying the Church selected him as the first North American Pope specifically to "deal with" Trump's administration.
Trump wrote: "Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise. He wasn't on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J Trump. If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican."
Pope's Firm Response and Peace Advocacy
Despite the criticism, Pope Leo has indicated he will continue to "stand up and say there's a better way" and expressed he is "not afraid of the Trump administration." However, he clarified he does not intend to "get into a debate" with Trump, stating that the Gospel's message is being "abused" by some individuals.
Speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane during a 10-day tour in Africa, the Pope said: "I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems." He highlighted that "too many people are suffering in the world today" and "too many innocent people are being killed," underscoring the urgency of his peace mission.
Controversial Imagery and Clarifications
Trump's social media post included an image depicting himself as a god or Jesus-like figure, which was later removed from Truth Social. The former president claimed the image was meant to represent him "as a doctor, making people better," and denied any intention to liken himself to Jesus. He added, "I do make people better. I make people a lot better."
This incident follows Trump's attendance at Pope Francis's funeral nearly a year ago, where he was among world leaders paying respects. In subsequent remarks to reporters, Trump doubled down on his criticism, stating, "I don't think he's doing a very good job. I'm not a fan of Pope Leo."
Easter Message and Broader Context
Earlier this month, in his Easter message, Pope Leo strongly condemned war, urging "those who have weapons to lay them down." He called for a peace achieved through dialogue rather than force, warning against indifference to the deaths and social consequences of conflicts. The Pope emphasized that religious leaders "are not politicians" and do not approach foreign policy from the same perspective as political figures like Trump.
Pope Leo stated: "I'm not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel, which is what the Church works for."
Support from Catholic Leaders in England and Wales
The leader of Catholics in England and Wales, Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth, backed Pope Leo, saying, "We continue to support his unstinting calls for peace and reconciliation across all areas of conflict." Similarly, Archbishop of Southwark John Wilson offered support, noting the Pope has "made clear, we cannot stand by and allow the message of the Gospel to be abused."
Wilson added that while bishops "are not politicians, nor statesmen, nor do we pretend to have all the answers," they are "clear that God demands peace." He encouraged prayers for peace and for Pope Leo, praising his courage in proclaiming this truth.
