WASHINGTON, April 13: US-born Pope Leo XIV pushed back Monday on President Donald Trump’s broadside against him over the US-Israel war in Iran, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he does not fear the Trump administration.
“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 said aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria.
“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.”
History’s first US-born Pope stressed 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.
Trump delivered an extraordinary broadside against Leo on Sunday night, saying 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,” while also suggesting the pontiff should “stop catering to the Radical Left”.
Flying back to Washington from Florida, Trump used a lengthy social media post to sharply criticise Leo, then kept it up after deplaning, in comments on the tarmac to reporters.
“I’m not a fan of Pope Leo,” he said.
Later, Trump posted a picture suggesting he had saint-like powers akin to those of Jesus Christ. Wearing a biblical-style robe, Trump is seen laying hands on a bedridden man as light emanates 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.
Archbishop Paul S Coakley, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement saying he was “disheartened” by Trump’s comments.
“Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls,” Coakley said.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Americans to pray for victory “in the name of Jesus Christ”. And, when Trump was asked whether he thought God approved of the war, he said, “I do, because God is good – because God is good and God wants to see people taken care of.” (AP)
