ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has responded to President Donald Trump’s criticism over the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, saying the Vatican’s peace appeals are rooted in the Gospel. Speaking Monday, Leo emphasized that his message is not a direct attack on Trump but a call for peace. Trump criticized Leo on social media and to reporters, accusing him of being too liberal. Leo suggested over the weekend that a “delusion of omnipotence” is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran. In a social media post, Trump accused Leo of being weak on crime and foreign policy. He also criticized Leo for opposing the U.S. attack on Venezuela. President Trump said he will not apologize for his criticism of Pope Leo and he doubled down on his view that the Pope should not be speaking out on issues of policy, including the US war with Iran. As for a picture he posted on his Truth Social Site, appearing to depict himself as Jesus Christ, Trump says, “I did post it and I thought it was me as a doctor and had to do with Red Cross, as a Red Cross worker there, which we support, and only the fake news could come up with that one.” The post has since been deleted as Catholics and others around the world expressed their unhappiness with the post. (Photo: Truth Social)