“I am not afraid of the Trump administration,” Leo told reporters aboard the papal flight from Rome to Algiers, where he began a 10-day visit to Africa that includes Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.
Leo said his position is based on the Gospel. “I speak of the Gospel and therefore I will continue to speak out loudly against the war,” he said. He added, “I have no intention of entering into a debate with him.”
He also said, “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.” He added, “I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today.”
Leo said his remarks are not personal attacks. “I will not enter into debate. The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone,” he said. He added: “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.”
Trump criticised Leo in social media posts and public remarks. He said he did not want “a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.” He also wrote, “Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.”
Trump said Leo was “not doing a very good job” and described him as “a very liberal person.” He added, “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo.”
He also wrote that Leo was elected “because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J Trump.” He added, “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”
The exchange followed Leo’s criticism of war and what he called a “delusion of omnipotence” driving conflicts, including the war involving Iran. Leo has said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” and has urged efforts to avoid war.
Trump also said, “I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do.”
The dispute is a rare direct clash between a pope and a US president over war and foreign policy.
(With input from agencies)
