Pope Leo Dismisses Debate with Trump as 'Not in My Interest'

The pontiff says his recent speech calling out those who 'manipulate religion' was not aimed at the former president.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:37pm

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A solitary, contemplative figure of Pope Leo XIV sitting alone in a dimly lit room, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet introspection and resolve.In the face of political tensions, Pope Leo XIV remains steadfast in his message of peace and his refusal to be drawn into partisan debates.Chicago Today

Pope Leo XIV has dismissed any notion of debating with former President Donald Trump, stating that such a debate is 'not in my interest at all.' The pope's comments come amid a back-and-forth between the two leaders over the pope's calls for peace during the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Trump has accused the pope of being 'weak on crime' and 'terrible for foreign policy,' while the pope has reiterated his message of rejecting 'the logic of violence and war' and embracing 'peace founded on love and justice.'

Why it matters

The ongoing tension between the pope and the former president highlights the complex relationship between religion and politics, as well as the challenges of navigating diplomatic and ideological differences on the global stage. The pope's refusal to engage in a debate with Trump underscores his commitment to his message of peace and his unwillingness to be drawn into a political feud.

The details

In a speech delivered in Cameroon two weeks ago, Pope Leo XIV called on people to give 'woe to those who manipulate religion.' This speech was interpreted by some as a veiled criticism of Trump's rhetoric and policies. However, the pope has clarified that the speech was prepared well before Trump's recent comments about him, and that he has no interest in debating the former president. Trump has accused the pope of being 'weak on crime' and 'terrible for foreign policy,' particularly in relation to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

  • On April 15, 2026, Pope Leo XIV delivered a speech in Cameroon calling on people to give 'woe to those who manipulate religion.'
  • On April 16, 2026, Trump attacked the pope on Truth Social, calling him 'WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.'
  • On April 17, 2026, the pope said any debate with Trump is 'not in my interest at all' while aboard a plane to Angola.

The players

Pope Leo XIV

The current pope and leader of the Catholic Church, who has been outspoken in his calls for peace and his criticism of those who 'manipulate religion' for political gain.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, who has engaged in a war of words with Pope Leo XIV over the pope's stance on the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

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What they’re saying

“'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 XIV, Pope

“'He was very much against what I'm doing with regard to Iran, and you cannot have a nuclear Iran. Pope Leo would not be happy with the end result.'”

— Donald Trump, Former President

What’s next

The ongoing tension between Pope Leo XIV and Donald Trump is likely to continue, as the two leaders hold vastly different views on issues such as foreign policy and the role of religion in politics. However, the pope's refusal to engage in a direct debate with the former president suggests that he is focused on promoting his message of peace and rejecting the 'logic of violence and war,' rather than getting drawn into a political feud.

The takeaway

This story highlights the complex relationship between religion and politics, and the challenges faced by religious leaders in navigating ideological differences with political figures. Pope Leo XIV's unwillingness to debate Trump underscores his commitment to his message of peace and his desire to avoid being drawn into a partisan political conflict, even as he continues to call out those who 'manipulate religion' for their own gain.