Pope Leo XIV has condemned global leaders whom he accused of prioritising military spending over human development, saying the world is being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants.”
His remarks were made during a service at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, as part of his ongoing 11-day tour of Africa, where he also criticised the use of religion to justify violence and political conflict.
The pontiff warned that faith should never be exploited for military, economic, or political gain, stressing that such actions distort religious teachings and fuel global instability.
He further stated that while vast sums are allocated to warfare, essential sectors such as education, healthcare, and reconstruction continue to suffer from underfunding, worsening human hardship worldwide.
The comments come amid heightened diplomatic tension following his criticism of recent US-Israel strikes on Iran, which drew backlash from former US President Donald Trump, who described him as weak on crime and foreign policy.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops later defended the Pope’s position, saying his remarks were consistent with Catholic teaching and had been misrepresented in public debate, particularly in relation to discussions around the “just war” doctrine.
The bishops clarified that Catholic doctrine permits war only in self-defence and as a last resort after peaceful alternatives have been exhausted.
Pope Leo also reiterated that he was not intimidated by political pressure, stating that his role is to preach the Gospel and speak out on moral issues affecting humanity.
