Topline
Pope Leo XIV on Friday said the reporters accompanying him on his trip to France were welcome to cover him and that “all around” media coverage was very important when asked about President Donald Trump’s decision to ban three press outlets from the White House.
Pope Leo XIV boards the papal plane at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for his Apostolic Journey to France.
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Key Facts
During an interaction with reporters on board the papal plane en route to France, a CNN reporter asked if Leo had “some words” for his colleagues who are having “difficulties” with the White House.
The pope responded that he was very happy to have them on board and added, “You’re all welcome.”
Leo then said he believed good media coverage is important and “that we have it all the way around, for everyone.”
The American pope, who has not shied away from criticizing the White House on issues like war, didn’t mention Trump’s name by name when responding to the question.
Later during the flight, Leo took a mic and thanked the members of the press for covering the papal trip to France—the first such visit by a pope in 18 years.
The Pope’s Earlier Criticism Of The Trump Administration
The pope has been among the most prominent world figures to criticize the Trump administration’s military actions this year, especially its decision to go to war with Iran. After the conflict broke out, Leo warned that a “spiral of violence” could become “an unbridgeable chasm.” After Trump made a controversial Truth Social warning that a “whole civilization will die tonight,” unless Iran agreed to his demands, Leo said Trump’s remarks were “truly unacceptable.” The pope also added that “all attacks on civilian infrastructure is against international law.”
How Did Trump Respond To The Pope’s Criticism?
After the pope criticized his Truth Social post, the president, in an unprecedented move, launched a scathing social media attack on the Catholic leader. Trump wrote that Leo was “WEAK on Crime,” and “terrible for Foreign Policy.” The president also wrote that Leo should be “thankful” and claimed, without any evidence, that if he weren’t in the White House, “Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.” Trump then accused the pope of “catering to the Radical Left,” and trying to be a “politician” instead of a “Great Pope.” The catholic leader shot back, saying, “I have no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do.”
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