After remarked that he does not want a pontiff who thinks it’s okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, Pope Leo XIV retorted, saying he does not fear the Republican administration and added that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel.
“To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here, I think is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” told AP.
“And I’m sorry to hear that, but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today,” said Pope Leo, further underlining that he does not want to enter into debate.
Pope Leo said that he was not making a direct attack against Trump or anyone else with his general appeal for peace and criticisms of the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fuelling the Iran wars and other conflicts around the world.
“I will not enter into debate. The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone. The message of the Gospel is very clear: Blessed are the peacemakers,” Leo said.
“I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel and inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, and looking for ways to avoid war any time that’s possible.” He added: “I have no fear of the Trump administration.”
In the unusual trade of barbs between a US leader and a Pope, the Republican President on Sunday said he didn’t think the US-born global leader of the Catholic Church is “doing a very good job” and that “he’s a very liberal person”. Trump also urged the pontiff to “stop catering to the Radical Left”.
In a lengthy social media post while flying back to Washington from Florida, Trump critised Pope Leo and continued his curt remarks soon after deplaning, in comments on the tarmac to reporters, saying, “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo.”
Before that, Pope Leo suggested that a “delusion of omnipotence” is fuelling the US-Israel war in Iran.”Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump wrote in his post, adding, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.”
Reiterating his stance, while addressing media, Trump said, “We don’t like a pope who says it’s OK to have a nuclear weapon.” Afterwards, Trump went on to post an image implying he had saint-like powers akin to those of Jesus Christ.
, Trump was seen laying hands on a bedridden man as light emerges from his fingers, while a soldier, a nurse, a praying woman and a bearded man in a baseball cap all look on admiringly. The sky above is filled with eagles, an American flag and vaporous images.
