A sharp public dispute between Pope Leo XIV and United States President Donald Trump has drawn international political backing for the pontiff from Brazil’s leftist head of state, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Speaking Wednesday in a pre-recorded video address to the national conference of Brazilian bishops, Lula publicly voiced his full solidarity with the first U.S.-born pope, calling for Leo to be defended against aggressive criticism from influential global actors.
The 80-year-old Brazilian president, who is currently campaigning for a new term in national elections scheduled for October, framed the conflict as part of a long-running historical pattern. “Throughout mankind’s history, advocates for peace and for the oppressed have been attacked by powerful people who think they are deities to be adored,” Lula stated in his remarks. He added, “It’s better to have a heart full of love than the power of weapons and money.”
The crossfire between the two world figures ignited after Pope Leo delivered sharp public pushback against the ongoing war in Iran. Specifically, the pontiff condemned Trump’s open threat to annihilate Iranian civilization as “truly unacceptable,” and stated that God does not grant blessing to leaders who order military bombing campaigns against civilian populations.
In response, Trump has escalated his verbal attacks against the pope in recent days, repeatedly claiming that Leo takes unduly soft stances on domestic crime, is ideologically aligned with left-wing global movements, and even asserted that his own political influence helped the pontiff secure his position. Earlier on the same day Lula issued his statement, Pope Leo addressed the conflict during an official visit to Cameroon, reaffirming his core position. He emphasized that “the message the world needs to hear today” is centered on non-violence and diplomatic negotiation rather than military confrontation.