President Donald Trump launched a sharp attack on Leo XIV, accusing him of “weakness in fighting crime” and a “terrible foreign policy.” In response, the Pope answered the US president’s post, stating that he is “not afraid of the Trump administration and not afraid to speak out loudly.”

This was reported by Time.

The head of the Catholic Church has recently become an outspoken critic of the war by the United States and Israel against Iran. The pontiff stressed that he would continue to oppose war.

“I will continue to speak out loudly against war, striving for peace, dialogue, and multilateral relations between states in search of fair solutions to problems,” Leo told journalists aboard a plane en route to Algeria.

The Pope avoided directly mentioning Trump in his criticism. However, the Bishop of Rome again referred to the war during a prayer vigil at St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday. “Enough of idolatry of self and money. Enough displays of power. Enough war,” he said.

The Pope called for ceasefire negotiations. “Dear brothers and sisters, the leaders of nations undoubtedly bear binding responsibilities,” Leo said in his homily on April 11. “To them we appeal, Stop. The time for peace has come.”

In his Palm Sunday homily in March, the Pope said that God “does not hear the prayers of those who wage war.”

Trump criticized the Pope for condemning violence in the Middle East and the US military campaign in Venezuela, during which former president Nicolás Maduro was captured earlier this year.

“I do not need a Pope who criticizes the president of the United States for doing exactly what I was elected to do,” the US president said.

Trump also stated that Leo owes his papacy to him.

The pontiff had previously criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policy. In September, the Pope suggested that people who support “inhumane treatment of immigrants in the United States” are not necessarily “pro-life,” prompting a response from the White House press office.*