Pope Leo shares message of unity amid spat with Trump: ‘We can live in peace’ | Pope Leo XIV
The ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and the Vatican over the war in Iran took on another dimension on Wednesday, when Pope Leo shared a message of peace and healing following the latest angry statement from the White House.
On Tuesday, J.D. Vance capped days of insults by insinuating that the pope was dishonest on theological matters and did not understand the concept of war.
“How can you say that God is never on the side of those who use swords?” the vice president said at the US Turning Point event held at the University of Georgia. he was pinned down by anti-war protesters
“Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated the Holocaust camps? It’s very, very important that the Pope be careful when he talks about matters of theology… you have to make sure it’s based on fact.”
The day before, Vance, a Catholic convert, had advised US-born Pope Leo XIV to “stick to matters of morality” after an earlier speech Publish on X Leo condemned the US-Israeli war in Iran.
“God does not bless any conflict. No disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, will ever side with those who once wielded swords and today throw bombs,” Leo wrote.
The pope spoke to reporters on Wednesday aboard the papal plane heading to Cameroon for an 11-day visit to Africa. He did not directly address Vance’s comments or the recent attacks. social media insults Donald Trump labeled him “weak” and “terrible.”
But his comments made clear that Leo was on his mind for the five-day debate that began when he said during evening prayers at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on Saturday that there was an “illusion of omnipotence” surrounding the Iran war.
On Tuesday, he used as a channel his visit to Annaba, the ancient city of Hippo where St Augustine, the theological and philosophical giant of the early church, lived as bishop for more than 30 years.
“His writings, his teaching, his spirituality, his invitation to seek God and seek the truth is something that is so needed today, a message that is so real today for all of us as believers in Jesus Christ, but for all people,” Leo said.
Leo said he wanted to go to Hippo to present to the church and the world the vision St. Augustine presented in terms of seeking “unity among all peoples and respect for all people despite their differences.”
He did not take any questions from reporters but continued to deliver the message that dialogue and healing, rather than force, anger and hatred, are key elements in resolving conflict.
Leo reminded that the majority of Algerians are Muslims, but they respect and revere St. Augustine as “one of the great sons of their land.” He said such an attitude helps build bridges between Christians and Muslims and encourages dialogue.
Leo said, “The visit to the mosque was meaningful in terms of saying that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worship, we have different lifestyles, and we can live together in peace.”
“And I think promoting that kind of image is something the world needs to hear today.”
Leo’s approach to the debate contrasts sharply with Trump’s. In addition to repeatedly insulting the head of the Catholic church on his Truth Social platform, the president was forced on Monday to remove a “blasphemous” AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus Christ-like healer amid a backlash from his supporters on the religious right.
Trump’s attacks have generally not gone down well with his own loyal base, and especially in Rome, where the majority of tourists and business owners who spoke to the Guardian defended the pope.
This week’s dispute is not the first time Trump, an ardent supporter of white Christian nationalism, has mocked the Vatican or angered the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic church.
In May last year, during the official mourning period for Pope Francis, Trump announced that he “wanted to be pope” and published a photo of himself wearing a white robe and miter, and wearing a gold cross necklace.
On Wednesday, Trump shared an AI image of himself being held by Jesus Christ with a caption referencing the revelation of “evil, demonic, child-sacrificing monsters” and said, “God may be playing the Trump card.” Alongside the photo and accompanying text, Trump wrote: “Radical Left Crazies might not like this but I think it’s pretty cool!!!”
Associated Press contributed reporting
