The Church of St. Luke

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM ITALY TO ALGERIA (CNS) -- Pope Leo XIV dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent social media jabs, declaring he harbors "no fear of the Trump administration," while greeting journalists on the first day of his four-country journey around Africa.

Despite provocative remarks from the president, Pope Leo maintained his focus on peace and ending ongoing conflicts around the world.

"I’m not a politician, and I have no intention of getting into a debate with him," he told an Italian television reporter April 13. "Rather, the message has always been the same: to promote peace -- and I say this for all world leaders, not just him."

Trump posted on Truth Social April 12 that Pope Leo was "terrible for foreign policy," and that "Leo should get his act together as Pope." Trump also wrote that the pope should be "thankful," for him.

"He wasn't on any list to be pope and was only put there by the Church because he was an American and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump," he posted. "If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican."

As has been the custom, the pope walked through the aisles of the papal flight, greeting journalists. Many journalists asked Pope Leo about the post just hours after it was published, and he was unusually candid. 

The pope repeatedly reiterated that he was not a politician, did not want to enter into a debate with the U.S. president, and would continue to speak out against war. 

"Too many people are suffering in the world today," he said. "Too many innocent people are being killed and I think someone has to stand up and say there's a better way."

He told the Associated Press that his own comments are not intended to attack anyone.

"To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here, I think, is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is," Pope Leo said. "I'm sorry to hear that, but I will continue on with what I believe is the mission of the Church in the world today."

He called on all to build bridges of peace and reconciliation as part of the mission of the Church. 

When asked by the New York Times if he saw the Truth Social post, he responded, “It’s ironic -- the name of the site itself. Say no more.”

His comments to the media follow months of Pope Leo's continued remarks, homilies and speeches focused on calls for peace. He held a prayer vigil for peace April 11 at St. Peter’s Basilica, where he warned that "the Church rejecting the logic of war may lead to misunderstanding and scorn." 

In his first stop of his 11-day Africa tour, he told the people of Algeria to seek peace, saying true peace is "not merely an absence of conflict, but one that is an expression of justice and dignity," which leads to a "reconciled spirit," that is "possible only through forgiveness."

"However, as conflicts continue to multiply throughout the world, we cannot add resentment upon resentment, generation after generation," he said. "Mutual respect is the path that enables everyone to walk together."

Following Pope Leo's remarks on the plane, a reporter asked Trump at the White House if he wanted to apologize to the pope.

 "No, I don't because Pope Leo said things that are wrong," Trump said at the White House. "There is nothing to apologize for. He's wrong."

Bishop Juan Liébana of Chascomús, Argentina, describes the ideal profile of a politician: a person of great virtue and integrity intent on building a better society.

The bishop of Palm Beach said the crisis in the neighboring island nation “has reached truly inhumane proportions … and our solidarity and response are urgently needed.”

The diocese clarified that the decision expresses “no moral judgment regarding the life, virtues, and pastoral ministry” of the bishop, who remains a servant of God.

Assessing the country’s current situation, the prelate emphasized that free elections and democracy simultaneously require the separation of powers, free speech, and a well-informed public.

In the wake of the incident, the local bishop, who will perform a rite of reparation, called for the return of the holy Eucharist and intense prayers for the conversion of the perpetrators.

While the dictatorship in Nicaragua continues suppressing the Church through police surveillance and the prohibition of public processions, attendance at Holy Week services was strong.

A seminary was established in Mexico in 1999 to serve the growing Hispanic community in North America, forming future priests who learn Spanish as well as ecclesial and cultural traditions.

The government said it was making the release “in the context of the religious celebrations of Holy Week.”

The Catholic bishops were among more than 50 intervenors presenting arguments at a landmark Supreme Court of Canada hearing into the constitutionality of Quebec’s 2019 secularism law.