Pope Leo XIV told Reuters on Monday (13) that he intends to continue speaking out against the war after criticism from United States President Donald Trump.
In comments made aboard the papal flight to Algiers, the capital of Algeria, where the first American pope begins one, the pontiff also stated that the Christian message was being “distorted”.
“I don’t want to get into a debate with him,” Leão told Reuters. “I don’t think the message of the Gospel should be misrepresented the way some people are doing it.”
“I will continue to speak out strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, dialogue and multilateral relations between states to find fair solutions to problems,” he said, speaking in English.
“There are many people suffering in the world today,” the pontiff said. “Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone needs to stand up and say there is a better way.”
In a post on the social network Truth Social, .
The publication came after the religious leader condemned Trump’s policies in the areas of international relations and immigration.
“Leão should behave like pope,” the Republican wrote, later telling reporters that he was not a “big fan” of the pontiff.
The religious leader has become an outspoken critic of the war in the Middle East, which began on February 28.
Leo XIV said that the threat made by the American president to ”destroy Iranian civilization” was “unacceptable”.
