Pope Leo XIV, currently on a visit to Cameroon, strongly criticised the manipulation of religion for political, military, and economic purposes. He made the remarks during a peace meeting with the community in Bamenda, a region affected by prolonged conflict.
In his address, the Pontiff said, “Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.”
Cameroon has been grappling with civil unrest marked by tensions between the English-speaking Anglophone regions and the French-speaking Francophone majority. Against this backdrop, Pope Leo XIV also acknowledged the resilience of local communities enduring the conflict.
The Pope travelled to Bamenda during a temporary pause in the ongoing violence, marking the second day of his visit. His message focused on peace and reconciliation in a region that has witnessed years of instability.
Those who obey God rather than human beings (At 5:29) and earthly ways of thinking rediscover their inner freedom, succeed in discovering the value of goodness and do not resign themselves to evil. They find anew their way in life and become builders of #Peace and #Fraternity.…
— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) April 16, 2026
His remarks come at a time when tensions have also been escalating between the Vatican and the United States. US President Donald Trump recently criticised the Pope following his call for dialogue in relation to Iran.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Trump has maintained that it is “unacceptable” for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and has previously refused to apologise to the Pope. He also described Pope Leo XIV’s positions as “wrong” and suggested the Pontiff would be “unhappy with the result” of his administration’s policies.
“I won’t apologise to Pope Leo. I think he’s very weak on crime and other things,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
Responding to the criticism, Pope Leo XIV reiterated that he does not intend to engage in political confrontation. Speaking to reporters during a flight to Algeria, he said, “I think that the people who read will be able to draw their own conclusions: I am not a politician, I have no intention of entering into a debate with Donald Trump.”
He added, “Rather, let us always seek peace and put an end to wars. I am not afraid of the Trump administration.”
The Pope emphasised that his role remains rooted in faith and spiritual guidance rather than political discourse, cautioning against the misuse of religious teachings for worldly agendas. He reiterated that the Gospel should not be “abused” for political ends.
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