Pope Leo says he's not interested in debating Trump over Iran

The pontiff pushes back on reports of an escalating war of words with the president.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:57pm

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A quiet, cinematic painting of a Catholic church's exterior, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of solemnity and reflection amidst the urban landscape.The pope's message of peace resonates in a world increasingly divided by political and religious tensions.Chicago Today

Pope Leo VIX has said he has no interest in debating President Donald Trump, challenging reports about an escalating war of words between the two men. The Chicago-born pontiff's 11-day tour of Africa has at times been overshadowed by Trump, who has repeatedly hit out at Leo in the past week, seemingly incensed by his forceful advocacy for peace with Iran. Leo said the remarks he made criticizing 'tyrants' who 'spend billions on wars' were prepared weeks ago, before Trump's comments, and were not directly aimed at the president.

Why it matters

The dispute between the pope and the president has drawn in Vice President JD Vance, who warned Leo to 'be careful' with his remarks on matters of public policy, raising a religious doctrine called the 'just war theory.' This highlights the broader tensions between the Catholic Church's teachings on peace and the Trump administration's more hawkish foreign policy positions.

The details

In a prayer meeting in Cameroon on Thursday, Pope Leo said that the world was being 'ravaged by a handful of tyrants' and blasted leaders who spend billions on wars. But speaking onboard the Papal plane on Saturday, Leo challenged any suggestion that the remark was directly aimed at Trump's actions in Iran. He told reporters that the words were prepared 'weeks ago, well before the President ever commented on myself, and on the message of peace I am promoting.' Leo reiterated his vow to 'promote peace in our world,' but stressed his trip is primarily to 'be with, to celebrate with, to encourage and accompany all of the Catholics throughout Africa.'

  • On Sunday, President Trump called the pope 'WEAK on crime' and 'terrible for Foreign Policy.'
  • On Monday, Pope Leo told NBC News aboard the Papal plane that he has 'no fear of the Trump administration' and vowed to keep up his appeals for peace.
  • On Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance said Leo should 'be careful' with his remarks, raising the 'just war theory.'

The players

Pope Leo VIX

The Chicago-born pontiff who is currently on an 11-day tour of Africa, where he has advocated for peace with Iran.

President Donald Trump

The president who has repeatedly criticized Pope Leo's stance on Iran, calling him 'WEAK on crime' and 'terrible for Foreign Policy.'

Vice President JD Vance

The vice president who converted to Catholicism in 2019 and warned Pope Leo to 'be careful' with his remarks, raising the 'just war theory.'

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What they’re saying

“It looked like I was trying to debate the President, which is not my interest at all.”

— Pope Leo VIX, Pope

“We are not politicians, we don't deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the gospel, as a peacemaker.”

— Pope Leo VIX, Pope

“In the same way it's important for the vice president of the United States to be careful when I talk about matters of public policy, I think it's very, very important for the pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology.”

— Vice President JD Vance

What’s next

The dispute between the pope and the president is likely to continue, with both sides defending their positions on foreign policy and the role of religion in public discourse.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the Catholic Church's teachings on peace and the more hawkish foreign policy positions of the Trump administration. It also raises questions about the appropriate boundaries between religious and political leaders when it comes to matters of public policy.