Pope Leo XIV Downplays Media ‘Feud’ Narrative with Trump, Says Debating President ‘Not in My Interest at All’

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV directly addressed media claims of a personal feud with President Donald Trump, stating on April 18, 2026, aboard the papal plane that the narrative “has not been accurate in all of its aspects” and that he has no interest in engaging the president in public debate.

Speaking to reporters during his ongoing Africa tour, the first American-born pontiff clarified that his recent calls for peace — including a prayer meeting address in Cameroon — were prepared two weeks earlier, well before Trump’s public criticism. “Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary trying to interpret what has been said,” Leo said. “And yet, as it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate again the president, which is not in my interest at all.”

The remarks follow Trump’s earlier statements criticizing the Pope as “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy” and “a very liberal person” amid differences over the U.S.-Israel military actions against Iran. Trump had pushed back on Leo’s calls for dialogue and peace, arguing Iran has shown no good-faith interest in negotiations.

Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, responded quickly on X, expressing gratitude for the Pope’s clarification. “I am grateful to Pope Leo for saying this,” Vance wrote. “While the media narrative constantly gins up conflict — and yes, real disagreements have happened and will happen — the reality is often much more complicated. Pope Leo preaches the gospel, as he should, and that will inevitably mean he offers his opinions on the moral issues of the day. The President — and the entire administration — work to apply those moral principles in a messy world. He will be in our prayers, and I hope that we’ll be in his.”

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the Vatican and the Trump administration over the Iran conflict, yet both sides signaled a desire to move past exaggerated media portrayals. Pope Leo reiterated he will continue preaching a message of peace.