Pope Leo XIV slams 'tyrants' spending billions on war after Trump criticism
Photo: Pope Leo XIV (Getty Images)
Pope Leo XIV has criticized "tyrants" who spend "billions" on killing and destruction, following criticism from US President Donald Trump, Sky News reports.
The Pope delivered a sharp rebuke of leaders who pour billions into wars, saying the world is "being ravaged by a handful of tyrants."
Leo XIV also criticized leaders who use religious language to justify wars and called for a "decisive change of course."
"The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild. They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education, and restoration are nowhere to be found," he said.
What preceded this
On April 12, Donald Trump posted a harsh message about Pope Leo XIV on his social network Truth Social. He described the pontiff as "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy."
The Pope responded in a restrained manner, saying he is not afraid of pressure from the White House and will continue to speak out against war.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them "unacceptable" and stressing that the Pope has every right to call for peace and denounce any war.
Earlier, on March 29, Leo XIV said that God rejects the prayers of leaders who start wars and have hands full of blood. His remarks came as the war with Iran entered its second month.
