Pope Leo XIV Denies Trump Feud, Cites Desire for Peace

The Punch Newspaper, Nigeria

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And yet it was perceived as if I were trying to start a new debate with the president, which doesn’t interest me at all.

In a move that has quelled speculation about a rift between the Vatican and the White House, Pope Leo XIV has directly addressed rumors of a feud with U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to journalists while on tour in Angola, the Pope clarified that his recent remarks, interpreted by some as a response to Trump's criticisms, were in fact pre-written and unrelated to the U.S. leader.

This clarification is crucial, especially given the heightened global attention on the pronouncements of both figures. The Pope's message of peace, which he is actively promoting, has been a central theme of his African tour. His insistence that he has no interest in engaging in a debate with President Trump underscores his commitment to focusing on broader issues rather than personal or political exchanges.

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Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary, trying to interpret what has been said.

The Pope's remarks in Cameroon, where he spoke of "tyrants" ransacking the world, were particularly scrutinized. While the U.S. media quickly framed these as a direct jab at Trump, the Pope has now firmly stated that the speech was prepared long before Trump's comments about him and his peace initiatives. This narrative, the Pope suggests, has been inaccurately portrayed in some media circles.

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The remarks had been written well before Trump’s “comment on myself and on the message of peace that I am promoting.

This situation highlights the tendency for international media, particularly in the West, to interpret events through a specific political lens. From our perspective in Nigeria, the Pope's tour of Africa and his message of peace are of paramount importance. His interactions and statements carry significant weight in a continent often grappling with conflict and instability. The focus should remain on his pastoral mission and his efforts to promote global harmony, rather than getting entangled in the political back-and-forth between world leaders.

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I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.