Pope Leo XIV sharply criticized leaders who use religion to justify wars. His remarks came after a controversial AI-generated image shared by Donald Trump sparked debate.
Pope Leo XIV said the world is being dragged toward destruction due to the war policies of “a handful of tyrants.”
The Pope’s statements followed a now-deleted AI-generated image posted by U.S. President Donald Trump on the social media platform Truth Social, which depicted him alongside Jesus Christ. Trump claimed the image did not portray him as Jesus, but rather as a Red Cross doctor.
Speaking at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, the Pope said, “Woe to those who use the name of God for military, economic, and political interests.” He emphasized that billions of dollars are being spent on war and destruction, while insufficient resources are allocated to areas such as education and healthcare.
Pope Leo also added, “The world is being destroyed by a handful of tyrants, yet it stands thanks to millions of people acting in solidarity.”
Support for the Pope in the U.S., criticism of the White House
Following the Pope’s remarks, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement of support. The statement noted that Vice President JD Vance had misinterpreted the Pope’s words.
Vance had previously criticized the Pope for speaking on war-related issues, arguing that he should focus on “moral matters.” However, the bishops pointed out that in Catholic tradition, the “just war” doctrine applies only in cases of self-defense.
Pope: I am not a politician
During his Africa tour, Pope Leo also stressed that he did not wish to engage in a direct dispute with Donald Trump. “I am not a politician,” he said, emphasizing that his aim is to support peace, dialogue, and multilateral solutions.