Pope Leo: ‘I have no fear of the Trump administration’

April 13, 2026

Responding to a reporter’s question on the papal flight from Rome to Algiers, Pope Leo XIV said this morning that he has “no fear of the Trump administration.”

The Pontiff responded to questions after the president blasted the Pontiff in a social media post. A reporter from NBC asked, “What did you think? He said you’re terrible at foreign policy, you have a fear of the Trump administration.” Pope Leo replied:

I have no fear of the Trump administration, nor speaking out loud about the message of the Gospel. I am called to do what the Church is called to do, we’re not politicians that make foreign policy, as he calls it, with the same perspective as he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, blessed are the peacemakers.

Asked by a journalist from the Italian broadcaster RAI, “After the criticisms expressed by President Trump, that you are weak in foreign policy, weak on criminality, if he were not President, you would not have been elected. What do you want to say about that?”, the Pope responded:

Very little. I think people who read it can draw their own conclusions. I am not a politician I don’t intend to enter into a debate with him. Moreover my message has always been the same, to promote peace and I say it for all world leaders, not only him. We always want to end wars and promote peace.

Addressing a journalist from the Associated Press, Pope Leo added:

The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone. The message of the Gospel is very clear, blessed are the peacemakers.

I will not shy away from the message of the Gospel, I’m inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges for peace and reconciliation, of look for ways to avoid war anytime it’s possible.

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 and I’m sorry to hear that but I will continue on with what I believe is the mission of the Church.

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CWN coverage of Pope Leo’s apostolic journey to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea:

Day 1 (April 13)

• Pope departs for Africa
• Pope Leo: ‘I have no fear of the Trump administration’
• I am ‘very happy’ to visit the land of St. Augustine, Pope says on flight to Algeria
• ‘The future belongs to men and women of peace,’ Pope says in first Algerian address
• Pope calls on Algeria’s leaders to promote ‘vibrant, dynamic, and free civil society’
• Pope visits Great Mosque of Algiers, recalls St. Augustine’s search for truth
• Pope emphasizes prayer, charity, unity in address to Algerian Catholics

Day 2 (April 14)

• Pope spends day in Annaba, emphasizes ‘Christians are truly born from above’

Day 3 (April 15)

• Pope bids farewell to Algeria, departs for Cameroon
• Pope, in remarks to journalists, highlights importance, relevance of St. Augustine
• Pope calls on Cameroon to embrace peace, break chains of corruption
• ‘Jesus cares especially for children like you,’ Pope tells orphans in Cameroon

Day 4 (April 16)

• Pope hails peacemaking efforts of Christian, Muslim leaders in Cameroon
• Now is the time to change this country, Pope preaches in Cameroon
• Pope meets with several Muslim leaders in Cameroon

Day 5 (April 17)

• ‘Bring the bread of life to your neighbors,’ Pope preaches in Cameroon’s largest city
• Societies flourish on the foundation of upright consciences that seek the truth, Pope tells university students

Day 6 (April 18)

• Draw near to the suffering and the poor, as Jesus did, Pope preaches at final Cameroon Mass
• Pope Leo departs from Cameroon, says his remarks there did not refer to President Trump
• Pope hails joy of Angola’s people, denounces extractivism

Day 7 (April 19)

• Pope, at Mass in Angola, warns faithful against syncretism, encourages them to ‘become like broken bread’
• Pope renews call for peace in Ukraine, Middle East
• May the Mother of the Heart make our hearts like hers, Pope says at Rosary in Angola

Day 8 (April 20)

• Pope flies to remote Angolan city, visits nursing home
• Reject superstition and follow Christ in freedom, Pope preaches at Mass in Angola
• ‘The first path is fidelity to Christ,’ Pope tells Angola’s priests and religious

Day 9 (April 21)

• Pope departs from Angola, heads to Equatorial Guinea
• Addressing journalists, Pope Leo recalls Pope Francis, says no date set to name new cardinals
• Serve the city of God and not love of self, Pope exhorts Equatorial Guinea’s leaders
• In Christ, the harmony between truth, reason, and freedom is manifest, Pope tells university community
• In Christian civilization, the sick are loved, Pope says at psychiatric hospital

Day 10 (April 22)

• Pope emphasizes the Eucharist and evangelization at Mass in Equatorial Guinea
• Pope tells prisoners: ‘No one is excluded from God’s love!’

 

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Further information:

• Pope Leo says he has 'no fear' after Trump labels him 'weak' and 'terrible' in feud over Iran war (NBC News, 4/13/26)
• Pope on board plane to Algeria: ‘I am not a politician, I speak of the Gospel' (Vatican News, 4/13/26)
• Behind the Headlines (The Sayable, 4/13/26)