World

Pope Leo, after Trump's newest attack, says only spreading message of peace

By Reuters Reuters
Pope Leo XIV leads the Angelus prayer from a window of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican, May 3, 2026. Vatican Media/Mario Tomassetti/Handout via REUTERS
Pope Leo XIV leads the Angelus prayer from a window of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican, May 3, 2026. Vatican Media/Mario Tomassetti/Handout via REUTERS Mario Tomassetti Reuters

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo said on Tuesday said he is hoping to spread the Christian message by speaking about peace but that people are free to criticize him, following the latest attack on the pontiff by U.S. President Donald Trump.

"The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace," said Leo, the first U.S. pope. "If someone wants to criticize me for preaching the Gospel ... I hope simply to be listened to because of the value of God's words."

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Crispian Balmer)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 9:56 PM.

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