Khaberni - US President Donald Trump, on Monday, refused to apologize for criticizing Pope Leon XIV following the latter's call to end violence in the Iranian war.
Trump told reporters after posting on social media criticizing the U.S.-born Pope, "There is no need to apologize. He is wrong."
Trump added, "Pope Leon said wrong things. He opposed strongly what I am doing regarding Iran, and Iran cannot have nuclear weapons," indicating that the Pope "was very weak (in his stance) towards crime and other matters."
On Monday, Pope Leon XIV said he is not afraid of the American president Donald Trump and does not intend to engage in a debate with him.
The Pope noted that he plans to continue his opposition to war after the church leader, who has 1.4 billion followers, was directly attacked by President Trump.
In statements made on board the papal airplane heading to Algeria, where he starts the first American pope’s 10-day tour that includes four African countries, the Pope also said that the Christian message is "being misused."
The Pope of the Vatican added, "I don't want to get into a debate with him... I believe that the message of the Gospel should not be misused in the way some do."
He continued, "I will continue to raise my voice loudly against war, seeking to promote peace, dialogue, and multilateral relations between countries to find fair solutions to problems."
He added, "Many people are suffering in the world today... A lot of innocents are being killed. And I believe someone needs to stand up and say there is a better way."
