VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Church in Malta and its Archbishop have expressed deep concern over what they described as an unjustified attack on Pope Leo XIV by US President Donald Trump. In a statement, the Archbishop said he shared the unease of Catholics worldwide over the tone and substance of the criticism directed at the Pontiff, warning against undermining the Holy Father’s role.
He reaffirmed that Pope Leo’s recent message — that “war divides; hope unites” — reflects the Church’s long-standing teaching on peace, humility and compassion.
The Archbishop noted that the Pope has consistently called for dialogue and urged world leaders to listen to children affected by war, describing this as a moral appeal for responsibility in global conflicts. He stressed that such values are especially vital amid rising international tensions and should be upheld rather than dismissed. According to the Archbishop, he has already raised his concerns directly with the US Ambassador to Malta, while reaffirming the Maltese Church’s solidarity with the Pope.
The remarks come after President Trump publicly criticised Pope Leo XIV, calling him “very liberal” and saying he was “not a fan” of the pontiff. Trump also accused the Pope of being weak on crime and foreign policy, following recent comments by the Pontiff warning against what he described as a “delusion of omnipotence” driving global conflict.
The exchange marks a rare public clash between a US president and the Vatican, as such disputes are usually handled through diplomatic channels. During a recent prayer service, Pope Leo spoke about the moral consequences of war and cautioned against justifying violence in the name of faith. Although he did not mention Trump directly, his remarks were widely interpreted as criticism of US foreign policy positions. Trump later urged the Pope to focus on religious leadership rather than political commentary, escalating tensions between the White House and the Vatican.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
