Archbishop Charles Scicluna slams Trump's 'unrestrained' attack on Pope

Updated 2pm

Archbishop Charles Scicluna has expressed concern with the US Ambassador to Malta over Donald Trump's "unrestrained and unjustifiable" attack on Pope Leo for his plea for peace.

The US president told reporters on Sunday he was "not a big fan of Pope Leo", describing the Pontiff as "a very liberal person".

Trump went on to say Leo was not on the list to become Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American.

"If I wasn’t (sic) in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” he wrote on his Truth Social media profile. 

Later, he uploaded an image featuring himself as a Christ-like figure healing a sick man while eagles and jet planes soared overhead.

Trump's comments follow the 70-year-old American Pope's public appeal to leaders to end the violence, telling worshippers at St Peter's Basilica: "Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!" 

'No intention to debate Trump'

Answering questions from the media, Pope Leo XIV said on Monday he had "no intention to debate" with Donald Trump, after the US president criticised him over his comments on the US-Iran war.

"I am not a politician," the Pope told reporters aboard the papal plane as they headed to Algeria for the Pontiff's first visit to Africa.

"I have no intention to debate with [Trump]. The message is the same: to promote peace."

'Deeply perturbed by attack'

On Monday, the Church in Malta said that, like many Catholics around the world, Mgr Scicluna was "deeply perturbed by the unrestrained and unjustifiable attack" on the Pope by Trump.

Mgr Scicluna has also "conveyed his concerns" to the US Ambassador to Malta and "assured her that the Church in Malta stands with the Holy Father".

"Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the consistent position of the Church throughout history when he said: 'War divides; hope unites. Arrogance tramples upon others; love lifts us. Idolatry blinds us; the living God enlightens'," the Church said in a statement. 

"The Holy Father spoke the unadulterated truth when he insisted that the Church will always promote peace 'even when rejecting the logic of war may lead to misunderstanding and scorn'".

The Pope spoke with a deep sense of humanity when he appealed to global leaders to “listen to the voices of children” whose lives have been irrevocably changed by the horror and inhumanity of actions that “some adults have boasted of with pride”, it added.

In these challenging times, it is of paramount importance that these cornerstone principles are promoted and defended, not derided and diminished.

Archbishop Scicluna has expressed concern with US Ambassador to Malta Somers Farkas (left) over Donald Trump's (right) 'attack' on Pope Leo. File photo: US Embassy in Malta

In a statement on Monday afternoon, Gozo bishop Anton Teuma added his voice to that of Mgr Scicluna's, reiterating the Pope's call for peace. 

The Diocese of Gozo urged prayers for the Pope, noting that his efforts in favour of peace reflected the Church's mission. 

Italian, US bishops defend Pope

Catholic bishops from the United States and Italy defended Pope Leo XIV after a blistering attack by US President Donald Trump, who accused the pontiff of being "weak on crime".

"I am disheartened that the president chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father," the head of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Paul Coakley, said in a statement published on Sunday.

"Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls."

Asked about Trump's comments while he was on the papal plane flying to Algiers on Monday for the start of an 11-day African tour, the pope said he had "no intention to debate" with the US president.

The Italian Bishops' Conference also defended the 70-year-old American pope on Monday, saying Pope Leo was "not a political counterpart but the successor of Peter, called to serve the Gospel, truth and peace".

"In a time marked by international conflicts and tensions, his voice represents a forceful call to the dignity of the person, to dialogue and to responsibility," the Italian bishops said in a statement.

They said they hoped "that all will show respect for his person and his ministry".