Pope Leo XIV has dismissed criticism from United States President Donald Trump over his calls for an end to global conflicts, declaring that he is not intimidated by the Trump administration.

The pontiff made the remarks on Monday aboard an aircraft en route to Algiers, the first leg of his African tour.

“The things I say are not meant as attacks on anyone,” he said.

“I am not a politician. I am inviting all people to find ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, and to seek ways to avoid war whenever possible.

“I am not afraid of the Trump administration,” he added.

His comments followed criticism from Trump, who had accused the pope of pursuing what he described as a “terrible foreign policy.”

Writing on his Truth Social platform, the former U.S. president claimed that Leo’s emergence as pope was influenced by expectations that an American pontiff might better engage with him.

“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo would not be in the Vatican,” Trump wrote, adding that he opposed any stance suggesting Iran should possess nuclear weapons.

Responding, Leo emphasised the spiritual foundation of his message.

“The message of the Gospel is very clear: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ I will not shy away from proclaiming the message of the Gospel.

“To equate my message with what the president has attempted to do here is to misunderstand the essence of the Gospel. I regret that, but I will continue with what I believe is the mission of the Church in the world today,” he said.