Pope Leo called for global peace and coexistence on Wednesday as he continued his Africa tour, hours after facing renewed criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and his allies over his stance on international conflicts.
Speaking aboard his flight from Algeria to Cameroon, the first U.S.-born pontiff emphasised dialogue and mutual respect across religious and cultural divides.
“Although we have different beliefs, different ways of worshipping and living, we can still live together in peace,” he said, reflecting on his visit to Muslim-majority Algeria, where Catholics form a small minority.
“The world needs to hear that message today.”
His remarks came after Trump once again criticised the pope on social media, having previously described him as “terrible” ahead of the tour. The latest comments drew backlash from some Christian groups in the United States, though others have echoed concerns about the pope’s growing involvement in geopolitical debates.
Conservative commentators and some U.S. religious voices have argued that the pontiff risks blurring the line between spiritual leadership and political advocacy, particularly following his outspoken criticism of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Supporters of Trump have framed the pope’s remarks as misaligned with U.S. strategic interests and have called for greater restraint from the Vatican on political matters.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance also weighed in, saying it was important for the pope to be “careful” when addressing theological perspectives in the context of modern conflicts.
Leo did not directly respond to Trump or Vance during Wednesday’s flight, instead invoking St. Augustine of Hippo and his vision of unity among peoples despite their differences.
The pope arrived later in Cameroon’s capital Yaounde, where he was received by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute in a formal ceremony at the airport. Crowds gathered to greet him, with clergy lining a red carpet and supporters waving as his motorcade departed.
Leo, who marks one year as head of the Catholic Church next month, had maintained a relatively low profile early in his papacy but has recently taken a more vocal stance on global conflicts, including the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
He told Reuters earlier this week he would continue speaking out on the issue regardless of criticism.
During his visit to Cameroon, Leo is expected to meet President Paul Biya and address national leaders, while also calling for an end to the long-running conflict in the country’s English-speaking regions.
Separatist groups have announced a temporary “safe passage” period during his visit, allowing civilians and visitors to move freely.
The 70-year-old pontiff is in the midst of a demanding 10-day tour covering nearly 18,000 kilometres across multiple African nations, including upcoming stops in Angola and Equatorial Guinea.
The largest event of the trip is expected on Friday in Douala, where the Vatican says up to 600,000 people could attend an open-air Mass.
Despite the warm reception in Africa, the pope’s remarks continue to draw scrutiny in Washington, underscoring widening divisions over the role of religious leadership in global political debates.