Pope criticises ‘tyrants’ who spend billions on wars, days after Trump spat
Pope Leo XIV recently condemned world leaders—referred to as “tyrants”—for spending billions on wars, making these remarks during a visit to Cameroon amid a regional insurgency. The comments, which also criticized the manipulation of religion to justify conflict, came just days after a public feud with US President Donald Trump.
Pope’s Key Statements
Pope Leo called for a “decisive change of course” away from war and exploitation, highlighting how a “handful of tyrants” are ravaging the planet. He made these unusually forceful remarks in Cameroon’s anglophone regions, where a long-simmering conflict has caused thousands of deaths.
Trump-Pope Spat Details
The Pope has been a vocal critic of the US-Israeli military operation in Iran, prompting Trump to attack him on social media as “weak on crime” and “terrible for policy.” Trump shared (then deleted) an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus, later defending it while doubling down on his stance that the Pope is “wrong on the issues.” Trump emphasized Iran as a global threat, especially regarding nuclear capabilities, and stated he has “nothing against the Pope” but must “do what’s right.”
Pope Leo, the first US-born pontiff, responded fearlessly upon arriving in Algiers, vowing to keep opposing war despite Trump’s criticisms. Trump noted the Pope’s brother supports his MAGA movement, framing the dispute as policy-driven rather than personal.
