Pope Leo says 'I have no fear of the Trump administration' after president blasts pontiff

Pope Leo XIV fired back at President Donald Trump on Monday, a day after Trump blasted the Catholic pontiff on Truth Social for criticizing the U.S. war against Iran and for military action against Venezuela.

"I have no fear of the Trump administration," Leo told reporters before boarding a flight to begin a 10-day tour to four African countries.

"I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems," said Leo, who was born in the United States.

He added that he doesn't want to "get into a debate" with Trump — who took credit for Leo's election as pope — and that he does not look at his role as "being political."

"Too many people are suffering in the world today," Leo said. "Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there's a better way."

President Donald Trump on Sunday bashed Leo in a scathing Truth Social post, shortly before posting an image that appeared to depict Trump as Jesus Christ tending to a sick man.

"I do not want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon," the president wrote. "I don't want a Pope who thinks it's terrible that America attacked Venezuela."

Trump also said, "Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise."

"He wasn't on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump," the president wrote. "If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican."

Trump also called the pope "weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons," and criticized the pope for recently meeting with former President Barack Obama's prior political aide, whom Trump said was "a LOSER from the Left."

Trump's attack came on the heels of Leo saying on Saturday, "Enough with the idolatry of self and money! Enough with the display of force! Enough with war! True strength is manifested in serving life."

Leo also had said it was "truly unacceptable" for Trump to make a recent threat that he would destroy "an entire civilization" in Iran.

Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, condemned Trump's comments on the pope.

"I am disheartened that the President chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father," Coakley said late Sunday.

"Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls."

Leo's critique of the Trump administration policies has been going on since last year.

In November, the pope endorsed a message from the U.S. bishops' conference that said they were "disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement."

"We bishops advocate for a meaningful reform of our nation's immigration laws and procedures," the bishops wrote.

"Human dignity and national security are not in conflict. Both are possible if people of good will work together."