Pope Leo XIV has clarified that his recent speech criticizing 'tyrants' for spending billions on warfare was not aimed at Donald Trump. Speaking to reporters during his flight to Angola, he expressed that his statements were misconstrued.
The pontiff explained that the remarks were composed two weeks before the president's comments about him, stating, 'It was looked at as if I was trying to debate, again, the president, which is not in my interest at all.'
Trump had earlier lambasted the Pope, calling him 'terrible for foreign policy,' especially in the context of the U.S.-Israeli military actions in Iran. The president further declared he was 'not a big fan' of the Pope, and dismissed his concerns over potential catastrophic consequences should Iran not meet U.S. demands.
In response to the Pope's comments, U.S. Vice-President JD Vance expressed gratitude, noting the complexity of media narratives surrounding their interactions.
Throughout his African tour, the Pope has addressed the issue of war and its devastating costs, lamenting that insufficient resources are allocated for healing and education. He emphasized that current narratives in the media do not accurately reflect the complexities of his dialogues with political leaders.
As the Pope continues his journey across the continent, he reinforces the importance of addressing moral issues over political discord, reflecting on the significant Catholic population in Africa.
