Pope criticises 'tyrants' who spend billions on wars after Trump spat

Pope Leo criticised leaders on Thursday in Cameroon who spend billions on wars and said the world was "being ravaged by a handful of tyrants". He blasted those who manipulated "the very name of God" for their own gain. He also condemned "an endless cycle of destabilisation and death" in a "bloodstained" region of Cameroon.

The Pope's remarks come days after a spat with US President Donald Trump, who posted an attack on the Pope. The Pope had voiced concern about Trump's threat that "a whole civilisation will die" if Iran did not agree to US demands. Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that "Leo should get his act together as Pope". The Pope told reporters at the start of his Africa tour that he did not want to get into a debate with Trump but would continue to promote peace.

Following Leo's address, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, said that she stood with the Pope in his "courageous call for a kingdom of peace". Trump told reporters on Thursday that it was important the Pope understand that Iran was a "threat to the world".