Pope Leo says he plans to continue speaking out against war after US President Donald Trump’s direct attack on the leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church.
In comments aboard the papal flight to Algiers, where the first US-born pope is starting a 10-day tour to four African countries, the pontiff also says the Christian message is being “abused.”
“I don’t want to get into a debate with him,” Leo tells Reuters. “I don’t think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing.”
“I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems,” he says.
“Too many people are suffering in the world today,” says Leo. “Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there’s a better way.”
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