politics
April 18, 2026
Pope Leo says he was not ‘trying to debate’ Trump over US attack on Iran
Pontiff says that despite ‘certain narrative that has not been accurate’, he will continue to preach message of peace
TL;DR
- Pope Leo XIV stated it was not in his interest to debate US President Donald Trump about the Iran war, and he would continue to preach peace.
- He clarified his peace message reflects the Gospel and is not directed at Trump, addressing inaccuracies in media narratives.
- Trump had criticized Leo's peace message, accusing him of being "weak on crime" and falsely claiming Leo supported Iran having nuclear weapons.
- Leo has consistently called for peace, denounced religious justifications for war, and spoken out against nuclear weapons.
- The Vatican stressed Leo's peace message refers to all wars, not just the Iran conflict.
- Trump's attacks on the Pope divided his Christian followers.
- Fox News host Sean Hannity announced he no longer considered himself Catholic due to "institutionalized corruption" and "scandals" in the Church.
- Leo mentioned his recent remarks in Cameroon were planned before Trump's comments and were not an attempt to debate the president.