Pope Leo XIV says his ‘tyrants’ remarks were not aimed at Trump

Pope Leo XIV gives a speech, criticising world leaders for what he described as spending billions on ‘killing and devastation’ (Picture: Reuters)

Pope Leo XIV has said it is ‘not in my interest at all’ to debate Donald Trump about the Iran war as he sought to downplay the extraordinary confrontation between the Vatican and the White House.

Speaking to reporters in English on the papal plane to Angola on the latest leg of his 11-day tour of Africa, Leo addressed the fall-out between the world’s two most powerful Americans.