Pope Leo XIV has said he does not want to engage in a public debate with U.S. President Donald Trump, after recent comments about war and peace led to reports of an escalating exchange between the two leaders.
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Speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane on Saturday, the Chicago-born pontiff said suggestions that he was trying to challenge Trump directly were mistaken.
“It looked like I was trying to debate the president, which is not in my interest at all,” said Pope Leo XIV.
The remarks come during the pope’s 11-day tour of Africa, which has partly been overshadowed by political tensions following comments from Trump criticizing the pontiff.
Remarks During Africa Visit
The controversy began after a prayer gathering in Cameroon on Thursday, where Leo warned that the world was being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants” and criticized leaders who spend vast sums on warfare.
Some observers interpreted the comments as a veiled criticism of Trump, particularly after the U.S. president publicly rebuked the pope earlier in the week over his calls for peace with Iran.
Leo, however, rejected the idea that his remarks were directed at the American president. He said the speech had been prepared weeks earlier, before Trump made comments about him.
“The words were prepared weeks ago, well before the president ever commented on myself and on the message of peace I am promoting,” the pope told journalists.
Trump’s Criticism
The tension between the two leaders escalated after Trump criticized Leo during remarks to NBC News at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland last Sunday.
Trump said he believed the pope was “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” adding: “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job.”
The comments came as Leo had been speaking publicly about the importance of pursuing peace, including in relation to tensions involving Iran.
In response earlier this week, the pope said he had “no fear of the Trump administration” and emphasized that his views are rooted in Christian teachings rather than political strategy.
“We are not politicians,” Leo said. “We don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker.”
Vice President Weighs In
The dispute has also drawn in U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019.
Speaking at an event hosted by Turning Point USA on Tuesday, Vance said the pope should exercise caution when discussing issues related to war and international policy. He referenced the Catholic concept known as the “just war theory,” which addresses the moral justification for warfare.
“In the same way it’s important for the vice president of the United States to be careful when I talk about matters of public policy, I think it’s very, very important for the pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology,” Vance said.
Focus on Pastoral Mission
Despite the controversy, Leo insisted that his African tour is focused primarily on meeting and encouraging Catholic communities across the continent.
He said media coverage of the dispute had created a narrative that was “not accurate in all of its aspects,” suggesting that political tensions had overshadowed the purpose of the visit.
“My trip is to be with, to celebrate with, to encourage and accompany all of the Catholics throughout Africa,” the pope said.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 19 April 2026
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