By Ayomide Otitoju
Pope Leo XIV on Monday said he has a “moral duty” to speak out against war and insisted he does not fear Donald Trump, amid criticism from the US leader over his calls for peace in the Middle East.
Speaking aboard the papal plane en route from Rome to Algiers, the pontiff dismissed Trump’s remarks and emphasised the Church’s role in promoting peace and reconciliation.
“The mission of the Church is very clear… blessed are the peacemakers,” Leo said, adding that the Church must speak “very clearly against war and in favour of peace.”
The exchange follows recent comments by the pope calling for an end to the conflict in the Middle East, which escalated after a joint Israel-US strike on Iran in late February. Trump criticised the remarks, stating there was “nothing to apologise for” and warning against the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran.
“Pope Leo said things that are wrong,” Trump said, adding that he was “not a big fan” of the pontiff.
Leo, however, declined to engage directly with the US leader, stressing that he is “not a politician” and has no intention of debating political figures.
“I have no fear… of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel,” he said.
Meanwhile, Giorgia Meloni described Trump’s criticism as “unacceptable,” defending the pope’s position and noting that it is both “right and normal” for him to call for peace.
During his visit to Algeria, the pope paid tribute to victims of the country’s 1954–1962 war of independence and called for forgiveness at the Martyrs Memorial in Algiers. He also reiterated his message of peace amid ongoing regional tensions.
The visit holds personal and spiritual significance for Leo, given Algeria’s connection to Saint Augustine, whose teachings have strongly influenced his papacy.
The trip forms part of a broader African tour covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea between April 13 and 23, aimed at promoting peace, dialogue, and interfaith understanding.
The development comes amid broader tensions, including criticism by the pope of US policies on migrants and threats against civilians in Iran, further straining relations between the Vatican and Washington.
