Pope Leo has declared that the world is being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants,” as tensions escalate between him and Donald Trump.
The pontiff made the remarks on Thursday during a visit to Cameroon, following a series of sharp criticisms from Trump over his stance on the war in Iran.
Speaking in the northwestern city of Bamenda, a region long affected by separatist violence, Pope Leo condemned what he described as a “cycle of destabilisation and death,” warning against the continued exploitation of conflict zones.
He criticised global leaders for channeling vast resources into warfare while neglecting investment in healthcare, education, and rebuilding efforts. According to him, profits derived from resource exploitation are often redirected into weapons, fueling prolonged violence.
The Pope also denounced the misuse of religion to justify political and military agendas, cautioning against invoking God’s name for personal or strategic gain. He described such actions as a distortion of faith and called for a decisive shift toward peace and accountability.
His comments appeared to indirectly target Trump, who recently lashed out at the Catholic leader on Truth Social, labeling him “very liberal,” “weak on crime,” and ineffective in foreign policy. Trump also controversially claimed the Pope’s position was tied to his American background and even shared an AI-generated image of himself portrayed as Jesus Christ, which drew backlash before being removed.
Despite the escalating rhetoric, Pope Leo has signaled he will not engage in a direct exchange of insults. Speaking to Reuters, he reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for peace, dialogue, and international cooperation.
“I will continue to speak out against war,” he said, emphasizing the urgent need for diplomatic solutions as innocent lives continue to be lost.
The Pope has consistently condemned the Iran conflict, describing it as a source of “absurd and inhuman violence,” and urging world leaders to pursue a more humane and constructive path forward.