After war of words on Iran, Pope Leo says he's not interested in a debate with Trump

Pope Leo XIVAfter war of words on Iran, Pope Leo says he's not interested in a debate with Trump"It looked like I was trying to debate the president, which is not my interest at all," Leo said, reflecting on the issue that has loomed over his Africa tour.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Add NBC News to GoogleTrump holds Turning Point USA rally amid growing tensions with the pope04:02Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 18, 2026, 10:57 AM EDTBy Freddie Clayton and Claudio LavangaPope Leo XIV said he has no interest in debating President Donald Trump, pushing back at reporting about the escalating war of words between the two men.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The Chicago-born pontiff’s 11-day tour of Africa has at times been overshadowed by Trump, who has repeatedly hit out at Leo in the past week, seemingly incensed by his forceful advocacy for peace with Iran.In a prayer meeting in Cameroon on Thursday, Leo said that the world was being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants” and blasted leaders who spend billions on wars.But speaking aboard the papal plane on Saturday, Leo challenged any suggestion that the remark was a direct rebuke of Trump’s actions in Iran.He told reporters that the words were prepared “weeks ago, well before the president ever commented on myself, and on the message of peace I am promoting.”“It looked like I was trying to debate the president, which is not my interest at all,” Leo said.He reiterated his vow to “promote peace in our world,” but stressed his trip is primarily to “be with, to celebrate with, to encourage and accompany all of the Catholics throughout Africa.”The leader said that a narrative “that has not been accurate in all of its aspects” has grown “because of the political situation created on the first day of the trip,” seemingly referring to messages from Trump last Sunday, in which he called the pope “WEAK on crim...