Pope Leo XIV pushed back against sharp criticism from President Donald Trump on Monday, declaring he has 'no fear' of the administration and pledging to keep speaking out against war.

The first American-born pope made the remarks aboard his plane en route to Algeria, hours after Trump lambasted him on Truth Social and to reporters as 'WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.' Trump accused Leo of siding with Iran on nuclear weapons and opposing U.S. actions, including a strike on Venezuela.

Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, was elected on May 8, 2025, after Pope Francis's death. A former missionary in Peru and head of the Dicastery for Bishops, he has consistently opposed armed conflicts, from Russia's invasion of Ukraine to violence in Gaza and Sudan.

His recent comments focused on the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, which escalated after joint strikes on Tehran on April 6 destroyed key buildings. Trump has threatened to 'wipe out' Iranian civilization, blockade the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday, and warned of destroying warships, amid failed ceasefire talks.

Over the weekend, Leo decried a 'delusion of omnipotence' fueling the conflict during a St. Peter's Basilica prayer service and called Trump's threats against Iranian infrastructure 'truly unacceptable.' He invoked Isaiah, saying God rejects prayers from warmongers, and stressed 'Blessed are the peacemakers.'

Trump fired back Sunday night, claiming Leo's papacy resulted from his American roots to counter the president: 'If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.' He urged the pope to 'stop catering to the Radical Left' and focus on being a 'Great Pope, not a Politician.' Trump, who once congratulated Leo as a 'Great Honor for our Country,' also shared an image critics called blasphemous.

On Monday, Leo clarified his words stem from the Gospel, not politics. 'I will not enter into debate... I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel,' he said. 'We are not politicians. We do not look at foreign policy from the same perspective.' He vowed to promote 'dialogue and multilateralism' amid suffering.

The exchange marks a stark turnaround from Trump's initial praise. Leo has also critiqued U.S. immigration policies and gun violence but framed his peace appeals as universal. The Vatican has not commented further, as Leo begins a trip to Africa.