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

By Thomson Reuters May 5, 2026 | 1:45 PM

VATICAN CITY, May 5 (Reuters) – 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)