POPE LEO SAYS HE HAS “NO FEAR” OF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND WILL CONTINUE SPEAKING OUT OVER IRAN WAR

POPE LEO SAYS HE HAS “NO FEAR” OF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND WILL CONTINUE SPEAKING OUT OVER IRAN WAR

Pope Leo has declared that he has “no fear” of the Trump administration and will continue to speak out against war, following sharp criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump over his comments on the ongoing Iran conflict.

The Pope made the remarks while reaffirming his commitment to peace advocacy, insisting that his messages are rooted in the Gospel and will not be influenced by political pressure. The comments come after President Trump publicly criticised the pontiff for his remarks on the U.S.–Israel military campaign against Iran, accusing him of misunderstanding foreign policy and taking an overly political stance. In response, Pope Leo rejected the framing of his statements as political attacks, stressing that his role is to promote peace and moral reflection rather than engage in geopolitical disputes. He said attempts to equate his message with political arguments misunderstand the Church’s mission. Speaking to journalists aboard a papal flight en route to the start of a multi-country visit in Africa, Pope Leo reiterated that he would not retreat from his position. He said he would continue urging world leaders to pursue diplomacy and avoid escalation, even in the face of criticism from powerful governments.

The Pope added that his duty is to speak on behalf of those affected by conflict and to promote non-violence in global affairs.

Pope Leo has recently become one of the most prominent global voices criticising the U.S.–Israel war in Iran, describing the violence as destructive and urging an immediate “off-ramp” toward diplomacy. He has repeatedly warned that the use of religious or ideological language to justify war is dangerous and contradicts core spiritual teachings Relations between the Vatican and Washington have become increasingly strained, with Trump and his allies criticising the Pope’s statements on foreign policy, immigration, and military action. Trump has accused the pontiff of being politically biased, while the Pope has maintained that his remarks are moral and humanitarian rather than political.

The exchange has drawn international attention, highlighting growing tensions between religious leadership and political power amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Supporters of the Pope say his stance reinforces the Church’s traditional role in advocating peace, while critics argue he is entering sensitive political territory.