'No fear': Pope Leo pushes against Trump attacks as he lands in Algeria

President Donald Trump has escalated against the first American pontiff over his criticism of the Israel-US war in Iran.

Beatrice Farhat

Apr 13, 2026

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Pope Leo XIV landed in Algeria on Monday in a landmark visit overshadowed by US President Donald Trump’s criticism of the first American pontiff over his stance on the Iran war, calling him “weak” and “terrible.”

Speaking to reporters flying with him to Algiers on Monday, Pope Leo said he does not fear the Trump administration and vowed to continue to speak up against the war.

“I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the Church is here to do. We are not politicians. We don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker,” the pope said.

In response to a personal attack by President Donald Trump the night before, Pope Leo told journalists on the papal plane to Algeria:

“I have no........

© Al Monitor