Archbishop praises Pope's anti-war comments during Vatican visit

Pope Leo criticized exploitation by world leaders during a Mass in Saurimo, Angola, as part of his four-nation Africa tour. The pope stated that violence and oppression contradict the Christian message, specifically referencing the resurrection of Christ. This is not the first time Pope Leo has spoken out against war and inequality, having issued forceful denunciations during his African tour. He has also repeatedly criticized world leaders without naming individuals. The pope's comments reflect a shift towards a more outspoken style, which has drawn attention from President Donald Trump. Pope Leo's visit to Angola marks the third leg of an ambitious 10-day tour spanning 11 cities and towns in four countries over nearly 18,000 km.

During a visit to Angola as part of his Africa tour, Pope Leo XIV addressed tens of thousands, urging the nation to overcome divisions and corruption stemming from its civil war past. Speaking at an open-air Mass near Luanda, he called on Angolans to build hope for the future. He also met with Angolan officials, including the President, and spoke against the exploitation of natural resources. This visit, the third leg of his four-nation tour, continues the Pope's theme of addressing corruption and resource plunder in Africa. His tour also included stops in Algeria and Cameroon, and will conclude in Equatorial Guinea. The Pope's remarks have also put him at odds with Donald Trump, who criticized the Catholic leader's foreign policy views.

Pope Leo visited the Sanctuary of Mama Muxima in Angola on Sunday, a Catholic shrine with a history deeply intertwined with the transatlantic slave trade. The shrine, originally built by Portuguese colonizers in the late 16th century, served as a hub where enslaved Africans were gathered and baptized before being transported to the port of Luanda. From there, they were shipped to the Americas. Pope Leo acknowledged the "sorrow and great suffering" endured by Angolans during centuries of the slave trade. The Sanctuary of Mama Muxima became a major pilgrimage destination after reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary around 1833. The Pope's visit served as a moment of reflection on Angola's painful past.

Pope Leo XIV is on an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa, and on Sunday, April 19, 2026, he celebrated Mass in Kilamba, Angola, addressing a crowd of approximately 100,000 people. During his homily, he urged Angolans to combat corruption and cultivate justice, referencing the exploitation of the country's resources and the lingering effects of civil war. Later that day, the Pope was scheduled to lead the Rosary prayer at the Sanctuary of Mama Muxima, a significant Catholic shrine. This location was historically a center of the African slave trade, where enslaved Africans were baptized before being shipped to the Americas. The visit highlights the Church's complex history with slavery and its ongoing impact.

Pope Leo attempted to de-escalate tensions with US President Donald Trump during his Africa tour. Speaking on a flight to Angola, Pope Leo clarified that his earlier comments in Cameroon about the world being "ravaged by a handful of tyrants" were not directed at Trump, as the speech was prepared weeks prior. These remarks follow Trump's recent social media criticism of Pope Leo, calling him "WEAK on Crime" and criticizing his foreign policy. Vice-President J.D. Vance welcomed the Pope's clarification, acknowledging the complexities of the situation despite media narratives of conflict. The Pope's comments aim to address misinterpretations and downplay a potential feud with the US President.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, has publicly supported Pope Leo XIV's calls for peace amid a feud between the Pope and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The dispute began after Pope Leo XIV criticized a "delusion of omnipotence" he perceived as fueling conflict, seemingly directed at Trump's administration. Trump responded with criticism of the Pope on social media. Mullally urged Anglicans to join the Pope's call for peace, emphasizing the human cost of war and urging political leaders to pursue peaceful resolutions. The Pope has continued to advocate for peace during a tour in Africa, while stating that he does not wish to enter into a debate with Trump. Mullally plans to meet with Pope Leo XIV in Rome later this month.

Pope Leo condemned the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, citing a "delusion of omnipotence" as the driving force. Speaking at a prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday, the Pope's message coincided with the start of US-Iran negotiations in Pakistan. While not directly naming the US or President Trump, his remarks appeared aimed at US officials who have emphasized military strength and used religious justifications for the war. Pope Leo urged leaders to prioritize negotiation and end the "idolatry of self and money," escalating his previous calls for peace after initially offering more restrained appeals. The archbishop of Tehran and a US deputy chief of mission were present at the service.

Pope Leo is currently visiting Cameroon, delivering a message of peace. This visit occurs amidst escalating tensions between the Vatican and the United States. US President Donald Trump has publicly criticized the Pope's calls for peace and his disapproval of the US military actions against Iran. The timing of the Pope's visit and Trump's criticism highlights a growing divergence in views between the two world leaders on matters of international conflict and peacemaking. The reasons for Trump's specific criticisms were not detailed in the article.

While on a pastoral visit to Africa on April 18, 2026, Pope Leo XIV addressed the ongoing public dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the Iran war. The Pope stated that debating Trump is "not in my interest at all," but he will continue to preach his message of peace. The conflict began when Trump criticized Leo's peace advocacy on Truth Social, accusing him of being soft and owing his election to Trump. Leo clarified that his preaching is not directed at Trump specifically, but reflects the Gospel message of peace. He has consistently called for dialogue and denounced religious justifications for war, specifically calling Trump's threat to annihilate Iranian civilization "unacceptable."

Pope Leo, during a visit to Cameroon, strongly criticized world leaders for prioritizing war spending over essential resources like healing and education. His remarks, made in a region experiencing conflict, condemned those who use religion to justify war and lamented the destruction caused by "tyrants ravaging" the world. The Pope's comments follow recent social media attacks from US President Donald Trump, which have caused concern in Africa, home to a large Catholic population. Pope Leo, who has become an outspoken critic of the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, urged a "decisive change of course."

JD Vance defended Donald Trump amid a dispute with Pope Leo XIV, sparked by the Pope's criticism of the Iran war and veiled comments about leaders of the US and Israel. Pope Leo suggested a "delusion of omnipotence" surrounded the conflict, prompting Trump to attack the pontiff's stance on crime and accuse him of being aligned with the radical left. Vance, a Catholic convert and the current Vice President, stated that the Vatican should focus on morality and internal Catholic Church matters, while the U.S. President should dictate American public policy. He downplayed the disagreement as a normal occurrence, despite the Pope's declaration that he would continue to speak out against war. The exchange has angered some within Trump's evangelical base.

During a mass in Douala, Cameroon, attended by approximately 120,000 people, Pope Leo XIV delivered a message of peace and nonviolence, urging the city's youth to reject violence and corruption. Speaking in English and French, the Pope emphasized the importance of faith, family, hospitality, and work. The mass in Douala followed a visit to Bamenda, the epicenter of a separatist insurgency, where he appealed for peace. The Pope's Africa tour continues with a visit to a Catholic hospital in Douala and a meeting with students in Yaounde. The purpose of the Pope's visit is to promote justice, peace, and faith in the region.

On April 16, 2026, Pope Leo XIV visited Bamenda, Cameroon, the epicenter of a separatist conflict, as part of his 11-day pastoral visit to Africa. During his visit, the Pope delivered a message of peace and criticized those he believes are causing harm through war and exploitation. He led a meeting for peace at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral with the local community. The visit occurred on the fourth day of his trip. Bamenda is considered the heart of one of the world's most neglected crises. The Pope also celebrated Mass at Bamenda Airport.

Pope Leo urged Cameroonians to reject violence and embrace generosity at a mass in Douala on Friday, attended by approximately 120,000 people. The event, held at Japoma Stadium, was the largest of his four-nation Africa tour. Addressing the crowd, Pope Leo acknowledged the material and spiritual poverty affecting many in Cameroon. He appealed to believers to resist distrust and discouragement, and to reject violence as a means of advancement, despite facing hardships. He arrived in Douala from Yaounde, Cameroon's capital, and delivered his message primarily in French, with a portion in English.

In April 2026, Pope Leo XIV strongly condemned the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, criticizing the "delusion of omnipotence" fueling the conflict and urging political leaders to pursue peace negotiations. Presiding over a prayer vigil in St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope's message, though not explicitly mentioning the U.S. or President Trump, appeared directed at U.S. officials who have justified the war with claims of military superiority. The prayer service coincided with the start of face-to-face negotiations between the U.S. and Iran in Pakistan and a fragile ceasefire. While initially hesitant to directly condemn the violence, Pope Leo XIV has recently increased his criticism, calling for dialogue and denouncing threats against Iranian civilization. Simultaneous prayer services were held in the U.S. and other locations.

Pope Leo XIV is undertaking an 11-day, four-nation trip to Africa, reminiscent of St. John Paul II's early travels. The journey, scheduled for April 13-24, 2026, includes stops in Algeria, Cameroon, and two additional, unnamed countries. In Algeria (April 13-15), the Pope will focus on Christian-Muslim coexistence and migration, visiting Annaba and paying homage to migrants. In Cameroon (April 15-18), he will lead a peace meeting in Bamenda addressing the separatist conflict and Boko Haram violence. The Pope is expected to address themes of Christian-Muslim relations, exploitation of resources, corruption, and migration throughout the trip. The Algeria stop is particularly important to Leo, due to his ties to St. Augustine.

Pope Leo XIV issued a statement on social media Friday criticizing war, seemingly directed at the US and Israel's conflict with Iran. The Pope's statement rebukes the Trump administration's use of religious language to justify military action, particularly Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's framing of the conflict as a holy war. Pope Leo emphasized that God does not bless conflict and that violence, especially against innocent civilians, is never justified. He has consistently spoken out against the fighting in the Middle East since the US and Israel began strikes on Iran in February. The Pope's message highlights the desecration of sacred places and the disregard for human life in the ongoing conflict.