Pope doubles down against wars, Trump retaliates with false claim

The back-and-forth verbal spat between Pope Leo XIV and US President Donald Trump continues as the former doubled down on his criticism of wars during a visit to Cameroon, adding that the world was "being ravaged by a handful of tyrants".

According to the BBC, the pontiff also blasted those who manipulate "the very name of God" for their own gain.

In a response, Trump told ABC News that it would be "nice" for the pope not to say that, adding that he has the right to disagree with Leo.

Trump even went further by falsely claiming that Leo had approved of Iran having nuclear weapons.

"The pope can say what he wants, and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree. I think that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump added.

During his tour in Cameroon, Leo blasted leaders who "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 masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild," he added.

Leo also condemned "an endless cycle of destabilisation and death" in a "bloodstained" region of Cameroon that has been grappling with insurgency for nearly a decade.

"Those who rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons, thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilisation and death.

"Peace is not something we must invent: it is something we must embrace by accepting our neighbour as a brother and as our sister," Leo stressed.

Long-running clash

Leo and Trump have been clashing since the beginning of the war in Iran last month, with the US-born pope rejecting claims that God justifies war during a Palm Sunday Mass.

Addressing tens of thousands gathered in St Peter's Square, Vatican City, the pontiff emphasised that Jesus must not be used to legitimise any form of warfare.

"He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: 'Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood'," he added, citing a Bible passage.

Trump lashed out at Leo, saying the latter was “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy”.

Trump’s criticism of the pope drew condemnation from his own ally, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who said she would not feel comfortable in a society where religious leaders are expected to follow political leaders.

The US president soon turned on Meloni, accusing Italy of not helping in the war.

“Do people like the fact that your president isn’t doing anything to get the oil (in Iran)? Does she (Meloni) like it? I can’t imagine,” he added.

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