‘I’m not afraid of you’ — Pope Leo fires back at Trump

Pope Leo XIV has pushed back against criticisms from US President Donald Trump over his stance on global conflicts.

Speaking to journalists aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria, the pontiff said his duty—and that of the Catholic Church—is to proclaim the message of the Gospel, not to align with political interests.

Pope Leo said he is not intimidated by the American leader’s administration and will continue to speak out when necessary.

“I have no fear of your administration or speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the Church is here to do,” the pontiff said.

“We are not politicians. We don’t deal with foreign policy from the same perspective you might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker.”

The pope’s remarks come on the heels of Trump’s scathing criticism of him. The US president had faulted Leo’s position on global security issues, accusing him of adopting a liberal political stance.

The US president has repeatedly clashed with the pontiff over the Iran conflict and migration policy, with Trump criticising the Vatican’s position on US military actions and border enforcement.

Tensions between both leaders have been building since Leo’s election as the first American pope in 2025.

While Trump initially hailed the development as a “great honour” for the United States, relations have since turned frosty over disagreements on war, migration, and the role of religion in politics.

The pope has been a vocal critic of the Iran war, describing it as unjust and warning against what he called a “delusion of omnipotence” driving global conflict.

He has also condemned the use of religious justification for violence, insisting that “God does not bless any conflict” and urging world leaders to embrace dialogue and mediation instead of war.

Leo has further criticised the Trump administration’s migration policies, describing mass deportations and enforcement actions as inhumane and contrary to human dignity.

Despite the escalating rhetoric, the pontiff said he remains committed to his role as a “peacemaker”, insisting that the Church will continue to speak on moral issues regardless of political pressure.