Pope Leo: I Am Not Afraid Of The Trump Administration, I Speak About The Gospel

Pope Leo XIV has distanced himself from any political clash with US President Donald Trump, insisting his duty is to preach the Gospel of peace rather than engage in debates.

The US-born pontiff spoke to journalists aboard the papal plane on Monday as he flew to Algeria for the first leg of an 11-day African tour. NaijaChoice News reports that Pope Leo XIV made the comments in direct response to recent criticism from the Trump administration over the Vatican’s stance on global conflicts, including the US-Israel war in Iran.

“I am not a politician. I have no intention of entering into a debate with him. Rather, let us always seek peace and put an end to wars,” the Pope told reporters.

He added that he has “no fear of the Trump administration” and will continue to speak out loudly against war while promoting multilateral dialogue between states.

“The message of the Church is the message of the Gospel: blessed are the peacemakers,” Pope Leo XIV stressed. “I do not see my role as that of a politician. Too many people are suffering in the world.”

The remarks come as the Holy Father begins the first-ever papal visit to Algeria, a move aimed at strengthening Christian-Muslim ties and honouring St Augustine, whose birthplace and spirituality deeply influence the pontiff.

From Algeria, he will proceed to Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, countries where the Catholic Church is expanding rapidly. Africa now accounts for nearly one in five Catholics worldwide, with the faith growing faster there than anywhere else.

In Nigeria, home to millions of Catholics, the Pope’s fresh call for peace lands amid persistent insecurity, banditry and clashes that have claimed lives across several states. Nigerian bishops who met Pope Leo XIV earlier this year briefed him on the violence, and the pontiff has previously expressed sorrow over attacks on communities while praying for justice and protection for all citizens.

Though Nigeria is not on this tour’s itinerary, Church leaders in the country say the message of dialogue and reconciliation resonates strongly with efforts to end farmer-herder conflicts and terrorism in the northeast.

Vatican officials describe the African trip as a chance to listen to the realities facing the continent’s faithful and push for lasting solutions to global tensions.