“I Have No Fear of Your Administration”, Pope Leo Fires Back At Trump

Pope Leo XIV has replied to United States President Donald Trump, saying the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he did not fear the Trump administration.

His statement came after backlash from Trump over the pontiff’s calls for peace amid the ongoing war between the US and Iran.

In a late Sunday post on his Truth Social, Trump unleashed a storm of criticism at Leo, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy”.

Trump said he does not “want a Pope who criticises the President of the United States”.

In response to remarks by Donald Trump, Pope Leo XIV told journalists aboard a papal flight to Algeria that he is not afraid of the Trump administration, insisting he will continue to speak boldly on the message of the Gospel.

He said, “I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the Church is here to do. We are not politicians. 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.”

“I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote ⁠peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states ⁠to look for just ⁠solutions to problems.

“Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to ‌stand ‌up and say there’s a better way.”

TVC News previously reported that Trump stirred fresh controversy after sharing an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ following a peace call made by Pope Leo XIV in the ongoing US-Iran war.

In the image shared on his Truth Social, Trump dressed in a white garment with a red robe and surrounded by radiant light, while seemingly performing a healing.

As observed by TVC News on Monday, the image featured fighter jets streaking across the sky, fireworks bursting overhead, and the Statue of Liberty positioned behind him, elements that combine strong religious symbolism with a display of American military power.

Trump’s post followed his criticisms of Pope Leo XIV.

On Saturday, the 70-year-old American pope publicly said, “Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”, imploring leaders to end the violence, while addressing worshippers at St. Peter’s Basilica.