The Panamanian Episcopal Conference expressed his support for Pope Leo XIV after the statements of US President Donald Trump, who described him as “terrible in foreign policy” for his calls to stop the war in Iran and the intervention in Venezuela.
The statement, signed by Bishop José Domingo Ulloa and Bishop Luis Enrique Saldaña, emphasizes that the Pope’s ministry is spiritual and not political, and that his words should be interpreted as a service to the conscience of humanity.
The Church in Panama urged public authorities to raise the tone of dialogue and avoid divisive expressions.
The confrontation between Trump and Leo XIV reflects tensions accumulated for more than a year, marked by the war in Iran and the crisis in Venezuela.
While Trump accuses the pontiff of meddling, Leo XIV insists that the Church has a moral obligation to oppose violence and defend human dignity.
Pope Leo XIV responded to criticism from the president of the United States, in a new episode of tension between the Vatican and the White House, marked by differences over war, international politics and the role of the Church.
During a conversation with journalists aboard the papal plane, the pontiff made clear his position in the face of political pressure: “No, I am not afraid of the Trump Administration, nor of proclaiming out loud the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I should be here for, and that is why the Church exists.”
The Pope insisted that the Church does not act from a political logic, but from a moral one: “We are not politicians, we do not see foreign policy from the same perspective, but as peacebuilders.”
The American president publicly attacked his figure and his position in international conflicts.
On his Truth Social social network, Trump directly questioned the pontiff:
“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon. I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the president of the United States, because I’m doing exactly what I was elected to do by a landslide.””, he noted.
Later, in statements to the press, he reinforced his position: “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo.”
