Pope Leo XIV Rejects Trump Criticism, Says “I Am Not Afraid of the US President”

Pope Leo XIV has pushed back against criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, insisting he will not be intimidated and reaffirming his global calls for peace amid rising international tensions.

The pontiff made the remarks on Monday while speaking to journalists aboard a papal aircraft en route to Algiers, the first stop on his Africa diplomatic tour, where he is expected to hold meetings focused on interfaith dialogue, migration, and conflict resolution across the continent.

Responding to Trump’s recent comments, Pope Leo said his appeals for peace were not political attacks but part of his spiritual mission.

“The things I say are not meant as attacks on anyone,” he said. “I am not a politician. I am inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, of looking for ways to avoid war any time that’s possible.”

He added firmly: “I am not afraid of the Trump administration.”

The comments come after Trump, speaking on his Truth Social platform, criticised the Pope’s foreign policy stance, accusing him of being overly critical of U.S. positions on global security issues. Trump also suggested that Leo’s election as pope was influenced by expectations that a U.S.-born pontiff would handle relations with him more effectively.

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“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo would not be in the Vatican,” Trump wrote, also arguing that he does not support any global leadership approach that would tolerate Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

During the in-flight press briefing, Pope Leo reaffirmed that his role is guided by the teachings of the Gospel, not political alignment.

“The message of the Gospel is very clear: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’” he said. “I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel.”

He rejected attempts to frame his remarks as political confrontation with the U.S. administration, stressing that the Church’s mission is centered on peacebuilding, reconciliation, and humanitarian concerns.

“To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” he added. “I am sorry to hear that, but I will continue with what I believe is the mission of the Church in the world today.”

The exchange has drawn global attention, highlighting growing tensions between religious leadership and political rhetoric amid ongoing conflicts in several regions worldwide. Vatican officials have not issued any additional statement beyond the Pope’s in-flight remarks, while the White House has also not released an official response.

The Pope’s Africa visit is expected to continue with engagements focused on peace advocacy, religious cooperation, and discussions on global stability.

Pope Leo XIV Rejects Trump Criticism, Says “I Am Not Afraid of the US President”

Judge Dismisses Trump’s $10bn Defamation Suit Against WSJ Over Epstein Report

A U.S. federal judge has dismissed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against The Wall Street Journal, its parent company Dow Jones, and media executive Rupert Murdoch, ruling that the president failed to meet the strict legal threshold required for public figures to prove defamation.

Delivering the ruling in Miami, U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles dismissed the case without prejudice, giving Trump’s legal team until April 27 to file an amended complaint if they choose to continue the legal battle.

The lawsuit, filed in 2025, stemmed from a report by The Wall Street Journal linking Trump to late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The article referenced a “bawdy” birthday message allegedly bearing Trump’s name, which was included in a commemorative album compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday in the early 2000s.

Trump’s lawyers argued that the report was false, defamatory, and caused significant reputational and financial damage. The suit named Dow Jones, Murdoch, and two reporters involved in the publication, accusing them of acting with malice.

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However, in his ruling, Judge Gayles held that Trump did not sufficiently demonstrate “actual malice”—a key legal standard in U.S. defamation law requiring public figures to prove that a statement was published either with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth.

“Because President Trump has not plausibly alleged that Defendants published the Article with actual malice, both counts must be dismissed,” the judge wrote.

Court filings and legal analysis indicate that the newspaper had taken standard journalistic steps before publication, including seeking comment from Trump and incorporating his denial into the story—factors that weighed against claims of reckless or malicious intent.

In response to the ruling, The Wall Street Journal welcomed the court’s decision, maintaining that its reporting met established editorial and legal standards.

The dismissal marks another chapter in Trump’s ongoing legal confrontations with major media organisations over coverage of his past associations, particularly those connected to Epstein. The original report was published in July 2025, shortly after U.S. lawmakers released documents related to Epstein’s network and contacts.

Legal experts say the ruling reinforces the high bar for defamation claims involving public figures in the United States, where courts consistently require clear evidence of intentional wrongdoing or reckless journalism.

Although the case has been dismissed, Trump retains the option to amend and refile his complaint, leaving open the possibility of further legal proceedings.

Judge Dismisses Trump’s $10bn Defamation Suit Against WSJ Over Epstein Report

Trump Sparks Global Outrage After Calling Pope Leo XIV “Weak, Terrible”

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a fierce public attack on Pope Leo XIV, describing the pontiff as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” in a controversial Truth Social post that has intensified tensions between the White House and the Vatican.

The remarks come amid growing disagreements over global conflicts, particularly the Iran crisis, immigration policy, and broader U.S. foreign policy direction, where Pope Leo XIV has increasingly called for restraint and diplomatic engagement.

The Pope, who has become more vocal on international affairs, recently urged world leaders to prioritise peace, dialogue, and mediation over military escalation. Speaking at St. Peter’s Basilica, he warned against what he described as “deadly actions” and rising global militarisation.

Trump’s response followed a CBS “60 Minutes” segment featuring senior American Catholic cardinals, including Robert McElroy, Blase Cupich, and Joseph Tobin, who echoed the Pope’s criticisms of aspects of U.S. foreign policy.

Shortly after the broadcast, Trump posted a lengthy message on Truth Social, accusing Pope Leo XIV of politicising the Church and taking positions aligned with what he called the “radical left.”

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In the post, Trump also questioned the Pope’s authority on global security matters, including nuclear threats and international conflicts, while defending his administration’s hardline approach to Iran and other geopolitical hotspots.

He further claimed—without evidence—that Pope Leo XIV’s selection as the first American-born pontiff was politically influenced, suggesting the Vatican may have expected him to soften criticism of the United States.

Trump also referenced the Pope’s family, saying he preferred his brother Louis Prevost, whom he described as “all MAGA,” further fuelling controversy around the remarks.

The White House has not issued an official clarification beyond Trump’s public comments, while the Vatican has so far remained silent on the escalating dispute.

Catholic leaders in the United States have continued to defend the Pope’s position, stating that his comments are rooted in humanitarian concerns, global peace advocacy, and moral leadership, rather than partisan politics.

Analysts say the confrontation represents an extraordinary moment in modern U.S. political history, marking a rare public clash between a sitting American president and the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

The dispute has also sparked debate among American Catholics, who are divided over the intersection of faith, politics, and foreign policy.

Pope Leo XIV is expected to proceed with his scheduled diplomatic trip to Africa in the coming days, even as the controversy continues to dominate international headlines.

Observers warn that the feud highlights deepening ideological divisions between nationalist political messaging and global religious diplomacy, particularly on issues of war, migration, and international cooperation.

Trump Sparks Global Outrage After Calling Pope Leo XIV “Weak, Terrible”