Pope enjoys International Support!
Pope Leo XIV kept receiving international support from both political and religious leaders worldwide!
International Desk, Apr 14, (EFE).-
Pope Leo XIV kept receiving international support on Tuesday from both political and religious leaders following verbal attacks by the United States President Donald Trump. Leaders across multiple regions described the Republican president’s criticisms of the Pontiff as “deplorable” and “pure madness.”
In Brazil, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his full solidarity with Leo XIV. The Brazilian leader defended the Pope’s right to denounce the war in Iran without fear of retaliation, stating that “no one should be afraid of anyone” and that a leader must choose between being “feared or loved.”
Lula warned that Trump’s threats “do not serve democracy.” Tensions escalated after the US President labeled the Pope “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” due to his persistent calls for dialogue and peace.
The Church responds: from Africa to South America
From Algeria, where the Pontiff is on the second day of his African tour, Spanish Cardinal and Archbishop of Rabat Cristóbal López called Trump’s words “utterly ridiculous.” López debunked Washington’s narrative regarding the Pope’s election and asserted that his call for peace will now be “more effective than ever.”
The Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (CEP) joined this rejection, labeling Trump’s statements as “deplorable.” Paraguayan bishops demanded a language of “respect and prudence,” warning that no political interest or temporal power stands above the Church’s discernment.
The Paraguayan Episcopate also rejected any attempt to “undermine the spiritual legitimacy” of the Pope. The bishops emphasized that building global peace “requires bridges, not walls of confrontation,” a clear allusion to the US President’s political rhetoric.
The controversial AI-generated “Jesus” image
The controversy has also been fueled by Trump’s social media activity. The President posted an image, apparently created with artificial intelligence, depicting himself as Jesus Christ healing a bedridden patient. The image was deleted following a wave of global backlash.
Trump has focused his attacks on the Pope’s opposition to the war in Iran and his stance on Venezuelan sovereignty following the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro (2013-2026). Despite pressure from the White House, Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed his position before landing in Africa with a direct message: “I am not afraid of the Trump Administration.”
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