In brief
Pope Leo, during his visit to Cameroon, expressed concern over leaders who invest billions in warfare while neglecting humanitarian efforts, labeling them as 'tyrants.' His remarks followed a clash with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the ongoing conflict in Iran. The Pope emphasized the need for peace and resource allocation for healing rather than destruction.
Pope Leo has criticized leaders who spend billions on wars and said the world was being ravaged by a handful of tyrants in unusually forceful comments during a visit to Cameroon.
The pontiff blasted those he said had manipulated the very name of God for their own gain, while touring a region ravaged by a deadly insurgency.
The remarks come just days after a high-profile spat with US President Donald Trump, who posted a lengthy attack on the Pope, a vocal critic of the US-Israeli military operation in Iran.
The Pope had voiced his concern about Trump's threat that a whole civilisation will die if Iran did not agree to US demands to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz.
Leo spoke out against the expensive toll of warfare, stating that billions are spent on destruction while crucial funds for education and healing remain scarce. The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild, he emphasized.
Amidst the escalating conflict, Pope Leo continues to advocate for peace and highlight the humanitarian cost of war, addressing specific concerns related to the civil unrest in Cameroon that has resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.
Public response to the Pope's statements has sparked discussions surrounding the role of faith leaders in political discourse, especially amid rising global tensions and the ongoing humanitarian crises.