By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

Pope Leo XIV has officially dismissed criticisms from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding his global appeals for peace. Speaking to journalists on Monday while traveling to Algiers for his four-nation Africa tour, the Pope explicitly stated that he is not afraid of the Trump administration.

The tension escalated after President Trump used his Truth Social platform to attack the pontiff, labeling him “weak on crime” and “terrible on foreign policy.” Trump claimed that Leo only attained the papacy because people hoped an American pope could better manage the U.S. administration.

During the flight, the Pope clarified that his messages are not intended as personal attacks but as invitations to build “bridges of peace.” He emphasized that his primary mission is the Gospel, specifically the mandate that “blessed are the peacemakers.”

Trump’s social media outburst also included a claim that the Pope would not be in the Vatican if he were not in the White House. He criticized Leo for not opposing Iran’s nuclear ambitions more aggressively, suggesting the Pope should “get his act together.”

In response, Pope Leo explained that he is a religious leader, not a politician, and views global issues through a different lens than the U.S. government. He expressed regret that the president had conflated the message of the Gospel with political maneuvering.

The friction follows a “60 Minutes” interview where top American cardinals criticized the administration’s war in Iran and domestic deportation policies. This segment reportedly framed Pope Leo as a global moral counterweight to President Trump’s “MAGA” policies.

Despite the public row, the Pope vowed to continue speaking out against violence and the “delusion of omnipotence” among world leaders. He reaffirmed his commitment to seeking reconciliation and avoiding war whenever possible, regardless of political pressure.