The comments came during Pope Leo’s papal visit to Africa.
While aboard a flight from Cameroon to Angola on Saturday, the pope addressed media coverage of a speech he delivered in Cameroon, criticizing those who “manipulate religion” for political and military gain. He stated the remarks had been prepared two weeks earlier, well before President Trump’s public comments on the pope’s message of peace.
“And yet, as it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate, again, the president, which is not my interest at all,” Pope Leo said. “So, we go on the journey. We continue proclaiming the gospel message.”
NEW: Pope Leo downplays tensions with President Trump, addressing a “narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects.”
He says it is “not in my interest at all” to debate the president and will keep preaching a message of peace.pic.twitter.com/DwG6BiUsaP
— Fox News (@FoxNews)April 18, 2026
Trump had branded the pope as “soft on crime” and “very liberal” after he had made comments against war.
Reporter: Why did you attack Pope Leo?
Trump: I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime I guess. We don’t like a pope who says it’s ok to have a nuclear weapon. We don’t want a pope that says crime is ok. I am not a fan of Pope Leo.pic.twitter.com/cj3oh1jSIL
Vance, a Catholic who met with Pope Leo at the Vatican last May shortly after his election, responded directly on X.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
