The Pope, who is currently on a tour of Africa, said on Saturday that a “certain narrative that has not been accurate” had developed, citing “the political situation created” by Trump’s comments.
During a speech in Cameroon on Thursday, he criticised 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 said.
The Pope also condemned “an endless cycle of destabilisation and death” in a “bloodstained” region of Cameroon that had been gripped by insurgency for nearly a decade.
The remarks were interpreted by some outlets as a reference to Trump – who later told reporters: “The Pope can say what he wants, and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree.”
He had initially posted his lengthy criticism of the leader of the Catholic Church after the pontiff had voiced concern about Trump’s threat that “a whole civilisation will die” if Iran did not agree to US demands to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz.
The president said he was “not a big fan” of the Pope and called him “WEAK on crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy”. Trump also posted an AI-generated image of himself which portrayed him as a Jesus-like figure, which he later removed.