Pope Leo XIV said he has “no fear of the Trump administration” and will continue speaking out against war, responding to sharp criticism from US President Donald Trump over his calls for peaceful dialogue on the Iran conflict.
Speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria on Monday, Pope Leo said he would not be drawn into a political debate but would continue promoting peace.
“I am not afraid of the Trump administration. I speak about the Gospel, I am not a politician,” the Pope said, adding that “too many people are suffering” due to ongoing conflicts worldwide.
The remarks follow Trump’s attack last week in which the US President called the American-born pontiff “weak” and “terrible for foreign policy” after Pope Leo voiced opposition to the US-Israel military campaign in Iran and called for diplomatic solutions.
Pope Leo, who has repeatedly warned about the escalation of the Iran conflict, stressed that his position is rooted in the Church’s message of peace and multilateral dialogue, not partisan politics. Despite the criticism, he said he would continue to push for diplomatic solutions to the crisis.
The Trump-Vatican standoff has a direct Sri Lankan dimension. President Dissanayake extended a state visit invitation to Pope Leo XIV in March 2026, and the ongoing tension between Washington and the Vatican adds diplomatic complexity to Colombo’s relationships with both.
The exchange also underscores the deepening international divisions over the Iran war, with religious and diplomatic leaders increasingly vocal in their opposition to military escalation even as the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz heightens tensions further.
