Pope Leo XIV has publicly criticised the Trump administration while speaking to reporters during his Africa tour, saying he has “no fear of the Trump administration” and warning against the use of religion to justify conflict.

Travelling to Algeria at the start of his visit, the pope responded to Donald Trump’s overnight social media comments, choosing to address the issue directly rather than remain silent.

He said he would continue speaking “loudly” about the message of God and added that “too many innocent lives have been lost,” calling for what he described as a “better way.”

The pope said he does not believe “the message of the Gospel should be abused, as some are doing.”

His remarks come amid growing tensions between the Vatican and the US administration following repeated public exchanges over the war in Iran and wider foreign policy.

During his visit, Leo also warned against the use of religion in warfare, saying that those who manipulate faith for military or political purposes are “dragging that which is sacred into darkness.”

He told a peace meeting in Cameroon that “the world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants” and called for global unity and dialogue.

Relations between the pope and US leadership have been strained in recent months, with Vice President JD Vance also commenting that the pontiff should be “careful” in his theological statements and referencing traditional Catholic teaching on war.

The Vatican has emphasised calls for peace and negotiation, with senior church officials arguing that modern conflict makes it increasingly difficult to justify war under traditional religious doctrine.

The pope has also been critical of immigration policies in the United States and has focused his early papacy on dialogue, international institutions and gradual reform rather than direct political confrontation.