Pope Leo says world needs to hear message of peace after Trump attacks

Pope Leo says world needs to hear message of peace after Trump attacks Pope Leo said on Wednesday that the world needs to hear a message of peace and coexistence, after US President Donald Trump attacked him for a second time this week on social media. Speaking on his flight from Algeria to Cameroon as part of a 10-day tour of Africa, the pope reflected on his time in Muslim-majority Algeria by saying that although "we have different ways of worshipping... we can live together in peace". Trump, who attacked his fellow American as “terrible” on the eve of the pope's tour, doubled down in a social media post late on Tuesday, despite a widespread backlash from American Christians. In a post fired out late on Tuesday night, 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." According to official figures, 3,117 people were killed in the demonstrations, including protesters, security forces and bystanders. Opposition groups say the real number is much higher. The US-based human rights organisation HRANA estimates at least 7,015 deaths. The pope told Reuters on Monday that he planned to keep criticising the war, regardless of Trump's comments. US Vice President JD Vance also said on Tuesday it was important for the pope “to be careful when he talks about matters of theology” when referring to conflict. The pope did not specifically address their comments on the flight on Wednesday. Pope Leo XIV visits Cameroon (Reuters)