Pope Leo says world being 'ravaged by a handful of tyrants' in wake of Trump feud

The first American-born pontiff did not mention Donald Trump by name, but used his speech to denounce world leaders that invoke religion to justify violence against other nations

Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists aboard his flight at the start of an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa. (Alberto Pizzoli/Pool Photo via AP)

Pope Leo XIV has said the world is being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants” who spend billions on war, in comments that will be seen as another sharp escalation in his almost week-long feud with the White House over the US-Israel war on Iran.

“Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth,” Leo told a gathering at Saint Joseph Cathedral in the western city of Bamenda in Cameroon.