Pope Leo says he is “not afraid of the Trump administration” after criticizing Trump

Algiers – Papa Leo responded to sharp criticism from the President, saying that he is “not afraid of the Trump administration” and will continue to speak “loudly” about the message of the Gospel.

At the end of Sunday, Mr. Trump the pope cursed on social media, calling him “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.”

“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” he added.

Leo called the threat of Mr. Trump for complete elimination Iranian Civilization “it’s really unacceptable” and encouraged people to contact “political leaders … ask them, tell them to work for peace.”

Speaking to reporters on Monday aboard the papal plane as he began his trip to Africa, Leo refused to speak directly to the president’s position. “I am not a politician,” he said. “I will leave that to the politicians.”

But he rejected the essence of the criticism of Mr. Trump, warning of attempts to balance his message with political goals, and pointing out that the president did not understand the message of the Gospel.

“Putting my message on the same plane as what the president tried to do here, I think, is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” he said. “I’m sorry to hear that, but I will continue what I believe is the mission of the Church in the world today.”

He said that the campaign is based on a consistent call for peace, which he emphasized applies to all leaders, not just the United States.

“The message of the Gospel is very clear: ‘Blessed are the peaceful,'” said Leo, adding that he will not avoid proclaiming it. “Too many people are suffering today. Too many innocent people have been killed.”

The Pope said that he does not see his role as entering into political discussions, but as providing an alternative way of behavior at a time of global tension.

“Someone must stand up and say there is a better way,” he said, pointing to dialogue, reconciliation and cooperation among many nations as the way forward.

The speech of Mr. Trump’s criticism of the Pope appeared after a while “60 Minutes” aired the story discussing the pope’s statements and impact three American cardinals they don’t know him well. Mr. Trump later confirmed to CBS News correspondent Norah O’Donnell that he was watching the showand that he believes the pope is “wrong about things.”

Leo said this at the beginning of an 11-day trip that will take him to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, countries facing chaos, inequality and political instability.

I The American PopeHis comments on the plane are the most forceful to date against the US president.

In the midst of the war in Iran, Leo has repeatedly warned in recent days that violence is becoming increasingly normalized and that religious language is at risk of being misused to justify it.