Pope Leo XIV Emphasizes Peace Amidst Tensions with Trump

Continuing Mission in Africa

As Pope Leo XIV prepares for a three-day trip to Angola, he expressed his intention to avoid public disputes with U.S. President Donald Trump. The pontiff, who is currently en route to the oil-rich nation, noted that their recent exchanges had been more about commentary than direct confrontation. His visit, part of a broader 10-day African tour, includes meetings with President Joao Lourenco and discussions with the country’s political leaders.

Leo’s African itinerary began in Algeria before moving to Cameroon, where he had previously criticized U.S. foreign policy. His remarks about the world being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants” were intended as a broad critique, not a targeted jab at Trump. “It was taken as if I was challenging the president, which is not my goal,” he explained to reporters during the flight. “Much of the discussion since then has been secondary, interpreting statements rather than addressing their core message.”

“As it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate the president, which is not in my interest at all,” the pope told reporters.

Historical Context of the Dispute

Leo’s critique of U.S. actions began on April 7 when he condemned Trump’s threat to “wipe out a whole civilization” if Iran failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The pope called this statement “truly unacceptable,” questioning whether international law had been violated. Two weeks later, Trump responded by labeling Leo as “not a big fan” and accusing him of being “toying with a country [Iran] that wants a nuclear weapon.”

Trump later reinforced his stance on social media, stating: “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.” The president also shared an AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like figure, which sparked mixed reactions, even from some religious conservatives who usually support his views.

Angola’s Role in the Pope’s Journey

During his Angola stop, the pope plans to focus on resource exploitation, a topic he has addressed in previous stops. Over 36.6 million people reside in Angola, with more than 30% living below $2.15 (€1.83) per day, according to the World Bank. About half the population identifies as Catholic, though the country’s economy is heavily reliant on oil, which accounts for 95% of its exports.

Angola, once marked by decades of bloody conflict, has transformed into a leading sub-Saharan oil producer. Leo’s emphasis on peace and reconciliation remains central to his mission, even as he continues to voice concerns about war. His tour, spanning 11 cities and towns across four nations, totals nearly 18,000 kilometers (11,185 miles) over 18 flights, making it one of the most extensive ever planned for a pontiff.