Pope Leo XIV dismisses Trump criticism, defends Gospel message

Pope Leo XIV declared Monday he 'has no fear of the Trump administration' while traveling to Algeria, directly responding to US President Donald Trump's criticism that he was 'weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.' Trump made the remarks Sunday night on Truth Social after the pope called for an end to conflict without explicitly mentioning the US-Israeli war against Iran.

'I have no fear of the Trump administration, nor speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel,' the pope stated. 'That's what I believe in. I am called to do what the church is called to do.'

This exchange comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with Trump recently ordering a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after peace talks failed. The pope's refusal to explicitly name the US-Israeli conflict while calling for peace has drawn criticism from various political and religious observers internationally.

How should religious leaders balance their spiritual mission with speaking out on geopolitical conflicts without alienating political powers?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/04/13/us-vs-iran-i-have-no-fear-for-trumps-administration-pope-leo-xiv/