On Thursday, during the second day of his visit to Cameroon, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that “the world is being destroyed by a handful of domineering individuals,” calling for peace in the country’s northwest, which has been witnessing conflict and a separatist movement.
As he began his 11‑day tour across four African countries, the Pope abandoned his usual reserve and adopted a more direct tone, issuing calls for peace around the world despite sharp criticism directed at him by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Yesterday, Trump continued his criticism, addressing the Pope by saying, "He must understand that it is unacceptable for the Iranian regime to kill 42,000 protesters and for Iran to be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. This would pose a threat to the entire world. The Pope must understand that we have a different perspective on this issue.”
The Pope stated, “Woe to those who subject religions and the very name of God to their military, economic, and political aims,” after U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance criticized him and urged him to “stick to moral matters.”