Pope Leo Dares Trump, Says “I’ve No Fear Of Your Administration”
By Rotela Oguns
Pope Leo XIV, on Monday, told US President, Donald Trump, that he is not intimidated by his administration stressing that no amount of attack can silence or bludgeon him to submission in the face of injustice.
The pointiff noted that he is no politician and hís understanding of foreign policies does not necessarily need to align with Trump’s but his stance must reflect love and the message of the Gospel.
The worldwide Catholic leader spoke to newsmen aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria.
“I have no fear of your 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,” the pontiff said.
“We are not politicians. We don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective you might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker.”
Pope Leo XIV has taken a stance diametrically opposite to Trump’s over the US’ attack on Iran and his administration’s migration policy.
The Vatican’s position on Trump’s decision to get involved in the Middle East war did not sit down with the US president prompting him to attack the Pope.
Meanwhile, the current relationship between the two leaders has not been that rosy since the election of Pope Leo as the first American pope in 2025.
While Trump initially hailed the development as a “great honour” for the United States, relations quickly turned frosty over disagreements on war, migration, and the role of religion in politics.
The pope has been vociferous in his criticisms of the Trump administration particularly on 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.
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.
“God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs,” the pope had written in a post.
