Khaberni - Pope Leo XIV of the Vatican - in his first explicit response to criticism from US President Donald Trump – expressed his categorical rejection of the manifestations of violence, injustice, and lies witnessed around the world, affirming that "God is not with the wicked, nor with the oppressors, nor with the arrogant."
The Pope's statements came in a post he shared on his official account on platform X, on Tuesday, following an attack Trump launched against him, after the Pope criticized the war initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28.
Trump had sparked widespread controversy by posting an image of himself as "Jesus Christ," accusing the Pope on his platform "Truth Social" of being "lax on crime" and "disastrous in foreign policy", in addition to claiming that the Pope finds Iran's possession of nuclear weapons "acceptable."
Criticism of using religion in "death speeches"
In his message, which carried both a spiritual and political tone, Pope Leo XIV wrote, "God is not with the wicked, nor with the oppressors, nor with the arrogant, but God is with the meek and the humble," adding that the kingdom of God advances through "love and service."
During a group prayer at St. Peter's Cathedral last Sunday, the Pope had escalated his tone, calling for an end to the war on Iran, which according to Tehran data, resulted in more than 3,000 deaths.
The Pope criticized the use of religion in military conflicts, saying, "Even the sacred name of the Lord, the God of life, is invoked in death speeches. Enough worship of self and money, enough show of power, enough war."
This development comes amidst tension between the Vatican and the current US administration, as the Pope had previously described Trump's threats to destroy "Iranian civilization" as "unacceptable," and he has repeatedly criticized his anti-immigrant policies.
Trump accuses Meloni of cowardice
In related news, US President Donald Trump launched a sharp attack on the Italian Prime Minister and his former ally Giorgia Meloni, accusing her of "cowardice" and lacking courage, against the backdrop of her support for Pope Leo XIV, and Rome's refusal to allow American aircraft involved in the attack on Iran to refuel in Sicily.
This sudden shift in Trump's stance on Meloni came hours after she described Trump's attack on the Pope as "unacceptable."
It is noted that the war that erupted on February 28 temporarily ceased early last Wednesday following an announcement of a ceasefire for two weeks, amid extensive destruction affecting military and civilian facilities in Iran, while Washington and Tel Aviv continue to accuse Tehran of seeking to possess nuclear weapons, which the latter denies and affirms the peaceful nature of its program.
