Pope Leo XIV to Trump: I'm not a politician, I'm delivering the Gospel

JAKARTA - Pope Leo XIV responded to US President Donald Trump's comments in a firm tone. On the flight to Algeria, the Pope stressed that he was not a politician and did not want to get into a political debate with Trump. Citing Vatican News, Tuesday, April 14, the Pope also stated that he would continue to speak out against war, while encouraging peace and dialogue.

The statement was made by the Pope when answering a reporter's question on the plane about Trump's comments on Truth Social. "I don't see my role as a politician. I'm not a politician, and I don't want to get into a debate with him," said the Pope, as quoted by Vatican News.

The Pope then emphasized that the message of the Gospel must not be abused. He said he would continue to speak out against war, encouraging peace, dialogue, and inter-state multilateralism to find solutions to various problems. According to Pope Leo, who was born in the United States, too many people are suffering and too many innocent lives are lost.

To American reporters, the Pope also said he was not afraid of the Trump administration nor of speaking out loud about the Gospel message. "We are not politicians," he said. He added that the call to end the war and build reconciliation was addressed to all world leaders, not just to Trump.

The response came from the United States. President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Paul Coakley, said he was saddened by Trump's remarks. In his statement, he emphasized that the Pope was not the president's political rival, but the spiritual leader of the Church who spoke the truth of the Gospel.

Vatican News wrote, peace is indeed the common thread of the Pope's apostolic visit to four African countries. On the flight, the Pope also called the trip special because it was the first in his pontificate. He admitted that he was happy to return to the land of Saint Augustine, which he called important as a bridge of interreligious dialogue.

Upon arrival in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, Pope Leo XIV was greeted by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. After a brief welcoming ceremony at the airport and a closed-door meeting with the president, the Pope continued his agenda to Maqam Echahid or the Monument to the Martyrs.

Vatican News noted that the journalist's question to the Pope came after Trump made a statement against the Pope on Truth Social. The controversy then became more crowded when Trump also received criticism for once uploading an AI image in the style of a Christ figure.