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How feud with Trump helped Pope Leo find his voice
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Pope Leo XIV’s strident speeches in Africa have marked a shift in his rhetoric.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Motoko Rich
- Pope Leo XIV, initially cautious, directly criticised the Trump administration and its policies in Iran and Cameroon during a recent trip to Africa.
- The Pope condemned the manipulation of religion for political gain and urged authorities to abandon their “idolatrous thirst for profit”.
- Analysts suggest Pope Leo's shift stems from a need to be the “adult in the room”, representing a “higher moral authority” amid global turmoil.
AI generated
BAMENDA, Cameroon – For months after his election in 2025, Pope Leo XIV often seemed quiet on sensitive issues, speaking carefully to soothe tensions both within the Catholic world and with global leaders beyond it.
This was the week he found his voice.
