Pope Leo XIV has stated that he remains undeterred by criticism from the administration of Donald Trump, affirming his commitment to preaching the Gospel’s message of peace.

Speaking to journalists aboard his flight to Algiers at the start of a 10-day African tour, the pontiff emphasized that the Catholic Church operates on a different plane from political institutions and does not engage in diplomacy in the same manner as governments.

“I am not afraid of the Trump administration or of proclaiming the Gospel message,” he said. “The Church’s mission is not political. We approach global issues from a spiritual perspective rooted in peace.”

His remarks followed sharp criticism from Trump, who had taken to social media and press briefings to label the pope as weak on crime and ineffective on foreign policy, accusing him of aligning with left-leaning ideologies. The comments came in response to the pope’s recent condemnation of escalating tensions surrounding Iran, which he described as unacceptable.

The 69-year-old pontiff—elected in May 2025 after the passing of Pope Francis—is the first American-born pope. His African visit includes stops in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, with a focus on strengthening ties and addressing regional challenges.

Upon arrival in Algiers, he is expected to meet government officials and visit the Great Mosque of Algiers. Vatican officials have described the journey as a pastoral mission aimed at fostering interfaith dialogue and supporting Catholic communities across the continent.

Despite the public criticism, Pope Leo made it clear he would not engage in a personal exchange with Trump, instead reiterating his call for unity and peace. “I prefer that we focus on ending conflict and promoting peace,” he said, echoing the Gospel teaching, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”