Pope Leo XIV Condemns 'Handful of Tyrants' in Global Conflict Escalation
Pope Leo XIV has issued a stark condemnation, stating that the world is being "ravaged by a handful of tyrants" who allocate billions to warfare, in remarks widely interpreted as a sharp escalation in his ongoing feud with the White House over the US-Israel war on Iran. The first American-born pontiff, speaking in Cameroon on Thursday, did not explicitly name Donald Trump but denounced leaders who invoke religion to justify violence against other nations.
Pontiff's Forceful Speech in Africa
During his address at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Pope Leo XIV declared, "Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth." He emphasized the disparity in global spending, noting, "They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found." The pontiff, on an 11-day tour of Africa, added, "The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters."
US Bishops Rally Behind Pope Amid Political Tensions
In a show of solidarity, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops offered full-throated support to Pope Leo XIV, who has faced criticism from Trump for days after speaking out against the Iran war. This support came after JD Vance, Trump's vice-president and a converted Catholic, attacked the pope for his anti-war stance, urging him to "stick to matters of morality" and avoid politics. On Tuesday, Vance questioned Leo's peace calls by challenging his benchmark for a "morally justifiable" war, citing just war theory at a Turning Point USA event.
However, the bishops, in a statement attributed to James Massa, chair of the conference's committee on doctrine, clarified that Vance had misstated Leo's position. They explained, "For over a thousand years, the Catholic Church has taught just war theory, and it is that long tradition the Holy Father carefully references in his comments on war. A constant tenet is that a nation can only legitimately take up the sword 'in self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed'." The statement emphasized that Pope Leo XIV, as supreme pastor, preaches the Gospel and exercises his ministry as the Vicar of Christ.
Pope's Stance and White House Retaliation
Earlier in the week, Pope Leo XIV told reporters on a plane to Algeria that he does not fear Trump, stating, "I do not see my role as that of a politician. I am not a politician and I do not want to enter a debate with him. I continue to speak strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, dialogue and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems." Meanwhile, Trump posted an image on his Truth Social platform depicting himself embraced by Jesus against a US flag backdrop, following backlash over an AI-generated image portraying him as a Christ-like figure.
In a separate development, the Miami Herald reported that the Trump administration is ending funding for a Catholic church-based charity in Miami that shelters immigrant children. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami said the White House pulled an $11 million contract from the Office of Refugee Resettlement, forcing the program to shut down within three months. Archbishop Thomas Wenski expressed bafflement, noting the program's excellence and unmatched track record in serving unaccompanied minors. A spokesperson for the federal health and human services department cited efforts to stop illegal entry and trafficking, without specifically mentioning the Miami program.
