Pope Leo says it is “not in my interest” to engage in a debate with US President Donald Trump, as he seeks to ease tensions following recent remarks that drew political attention during his Africa tour.
Speaking to reporters in English aboard his flight to Angola, the third stop of his 10-day Africa visit, the first US-born pope says media reports about his comments have “not been accurate in all its aspects.”
Leo clarifies that his earlier remarks in Cameroon, where he warned that the world is being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants,” are not directed at Trump. He explains that the speech was prepared two weeks earlier, before Trump’s public criticism of him.
As Leo begins his tour, Trump posts on Truth Social calling him “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” and shares an AI-generated image of himself depicted as a Jesus-like figure. The post later draws criticism and is removed.
The remarks come amid growing attention on Leo’s criticism of the US-Israeli war against Iran. While he does not mention Trump directly in later speeches, he continues to condemn global conflicts and leaders responsible for warfare.
On Saturday, Leo says his statements were misinterpreted as an attempt to argue with the US president. “As it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate the president, which is not in my interest at all,” he says.
The pope, originally from Chicago, has maintained a relatively low public profile during his early months in office but adopts a more outspoken tone during his Africa visit, criticising war, inequality and global leadership.
His 10-day Africa tour spans four countries, 11 cities and towns, and nearly 18,000 kilometres of travel across 18 flights, making it one of the most extensive papal visits in recent years.
