Pope Leo says 'tyrants' comment wasn't directed at Trump
Pope Leo says 'tyrants' comment wasn't directed at Trump
Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAYSat, April 18, 2026 at 2:38 PM UTC
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Pope Leo says 'tyrants' comment wasn't directed at Trump
Pope Leo XIV said it is "not in my interest" to "debate" President Donald Trump on April 18, amid what appeared to be an ongoing and very public feud between the two over the war in Iran.
Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, told reporters a speech he gave in Cameroon that decried "tyrants" and those who "manipulate religion" for military and political gain was actually written weeks ago and not meant to call out Trump. Reporting about those comments "has not been accurate in all its aspects," the pontiff said.
"Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth," Leo said on April 16 during his four-country tour of Africa, adding that the world was "being ravaged by a handful of tyrants"
"As it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate the president, which is not in my interest at all,” the pope said April 18.
1 / 0Look back as Pope Leo marks his first year as pontiffWhite smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel indicating that the College of Cardinals have elected a new Pope during their fourth vote on the second day of their secret conclave on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. White smoke was seen over the Vatican early this evening as the Conclave of Cardinals took just two days to elect Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo (Leone) XIV, as the 267th Supreme Pontiff after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.
The remarks in Cameroon didn't mention Trump or the Iran war by name, but Leo has made clear he rejects the U.S.- and Israeli-launched conflict. His outspokenness about the war drew direct attacks on social media from the president. In response, Leo XIV told Reuters earlier in the week that he would keep speaking out about the war.
See the timeline: Trump, Pope Leo feud publicly. Here's who said what (and when)
The spat has been a rare public dispute between a pope and a U.S. president. Trump's remarks have also drawn widespread criticism from Catholics, including American conservatives.
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After Trump earlier in April threatened a "whole civilization will die" if Iran didn't comply by his deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz, the pope gave a direct criticism of the president, calling the threat "unacceptable."
The pope gave more remarks that appeared to condemn the war, and Trump responded by calling him "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy" in a long social media post.
"I have no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do," Pope Leo said on April 12, adding that his role is not political and that he was not interested in debating Trump.
Leo and Trump: The parable of the pope versus the president
The back-and-forth was also accompanied by Trump's posting of AI-generated religious imagery, including of himself in a Jesus-like role, that similarly sparked widespread backlash.
Contributing: Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pope Leo XIV says 'tyrants' comment wasn't directed at Trump
Source: “AOL Breaking”
