In a social media post, Trump said the pope should “stop catering to the Radical Left,” adding that Leo was “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.” Speaking to reporters later at Joint Base Andrews after arriving on Air Force One, Trump reiterated his criticism, saying, “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo.”

The remarks followed comments by Pope Leo over the weekend condemning what he described as the “delusion of omnipotence” driving the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, and calling on political leaders to pursue negotiations to end the conflict.

The pope delivered his message during an evening prayer service at St. Peter’s Basilica, coinciding with the start of direct talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan under a fragile ceasefire arrangement.

While Leo did not explicitly mention Trump or the United States, his remarks were widely interpreted as directed at U.S. leadership, which has defended military actions and emphasized American strategic strength in the region.

The exchange marks a rare public dispute between a U.S. president and a sitting pope, and underscores broader divisions over foreign policy and the role of military force in resolving international conflicts.

The pope, the first from the United States, is scheduled to visit Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, traveling nearly 18,000 km (11,185 miles) across 11 cities and towns on 18 flights in one of the most complex papal itineraries in decades.

Cardinal Michael Czerny said the trip was intended “to help turn the world’s attention to Africa,” underscoring the Vatican’s focus on a region where Catholic populations are expanding rapidly.

Leo, 70, has made limited overseas visits since his election last May, including trips to Turkiye and Lebanon late last year, and Monaco in March. The current tour marks his most extensive diplomatic and pastoral journey to date.

The visit will include a stop in Algeria, an overwhelmingly Muslim country with fewer than 10,000 Catholics among a population of around 48 million, marking the first time a sitting pope has visited the country.

Leo is expected to address political leaders there and visit the Great Mosque of Algiers, only his second visit to a mosque as pope.Across the four countries, Leo is scheduled to deliver 25 speeches addressing a range of issues including resource exploitation, interfaith dialogue and political governance, according to Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni.

Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea have long-serving leaders who have faced allegations of human rights abuses, which they deny.The largest gathering of the tour is expected in Cameroon’s coastal city of Douala, where Vatican officials estimate around 600,000 people could attend a papal Mass on Friday.

The trip is the 24th papal visit to Africa since the late 1960s and reflects the continent’s growing significance within the global Catholic Church, with more than 20 percent of adherents now based there.

Speaking at St. Peter’s Square after his Regina Coeli prayer, the pontiff said he felt “closer than ever” to Lebanon amid escalating violence, describing a moral obligation under international law to shield civilians from the effects of war.“

The principle of humanity entails the moral obligation to protect the civilian population from the atrocious effects of war,” he said, addressing crowds gathered at the Vatican.

Lebanon has been drawn into the regional conflict since last month, as Israel intensified strikes against Hezbollah, with Lebanese authorities reporting more than 2,000 people killed.

Without naming specific countries, the pope urged warring sides to seek a peaceful resolution, reiterating calls for dialogue and mediation over continued military escalation.

His remarks followed the failure of recent talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan to reach an agreement aimed at ending the broader conflict.

On Saturday, the pope delivered one of his strongest appeals yet against the war, calling on leaders to halt hostilities and return to negotiations. “Stop! It is time for peace!” he said, criticizing what he described as a growing reliance on rearmament and displays of power.

The 70-year-old pontiff, who leads the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, has repeatedly called for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

He is scheduled to travel to Algeria on Monday for an 11-day visit focused on interfaith dialogue and strengthening ties with the Islamic world.