ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday doubled down as U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism showed no sign of letting up, insisting that the message “the world needs to hear today” is one of peace and dialogue.
Leo spoke to journalists aboard the papal plane en route to Cameroon as he continued his Africa visit. He made no mention of Trump’s latest social media post or the suggestion by Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert, that he should “be careful” when speaking about theology.
Leo took no questions. Rather, he focused on his just-concluded visit to Algeria and the teachings of St. Augustine of Hippo, the inspiration of his religious order and his own spirituality.
But Leo spoke in terms that suggested the Trump administration’s criticism of the pope’s calls for peace in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran had not gone unnoticed.
Trump has issued repeated broadsides this week against history’s first U.S.-born pope, accusing him of being weak on crime and a captive to the left, and asserting that Leo owed his papacy to Trump. Trump also posted, then took down, an AI-generated, Christ-like image of himself that drew widespread condemnation, even from many supporters.
Overnight, Trump posted “Not good!!!” in response to a post citing social media posts by Leo before he was pope that were critical of Trump. And he wrote: “Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable.”
Leo drew attention to his visit Tuesday to Annaba, the ancient city of Hippo where St. Augustine, the theological and philosophical giant of the early church, lived as a bishop for more than 30 years.
“His writings, his teaching, his spirituality, his invitation to search for God and to search for truth is something that is very much needed today, a message that is very real for all of us today as believers in Jesus Christ, but for all people,” Leo said.
By going to Hippo, Leo said he wanted to offer the church and the world a vision that St. Augustine offers in terms of seeking “unity among all peoples and respect for all people in spite of the differences.”
He recalled that the vast majority of Algerians are Muslim, but that they respect and honor St. Augustine as “one of the great sons of their land.” Such an attitude, he said, helps to build bridges between Christians and Muslims and promote dialogue.
He recalled that the vast majority of Algerians are Muslim, and they respect and honor St. Augustine as “one of the great sons of their land.” He said that attitude helps to build bridges between Christians and Muslims.
And he recalled his visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers, where he stood in silent prayer.
“I think the visit to the mosque was significant to say that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshiping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace,” he said.
“And so I think that to promote that kind of image is something which the world needs to hear today.”
Trump’s attacks on Leo began after the pope amplified criticism of war and asserted that God doesn’t bless those who drop bombs. Leo also called Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization “truly unacceptable.”
