<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Pope Leo XIV has said he is not seeking to debate US President Donald Trump over the Iran conflict, but pledged to continue preaching his message of peace.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The pontiff sought to clarify his recent comments on the war as he flew out from a visit to Cameroon, speaking with journalists aboard his plane, reports the Vatican News Agency.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There's been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects, but because of the political situation created when, on the first day of the trip, the President of the United States made some comments about myself," Pope Leo said.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-april-19-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/c2c7491b-d22a-4f1b-bfba-8e932b044fd6" rel="" target="_blank" title="Iran fires on ships, Strait of Hormuz closes again"><strong><span>Iran fires on ships, Strait of Hormuz closes again</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was referring to accusations that Trump had directed at him early last week to which the pope had already responded.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The president accused Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, of being weak on crime, and a closet left-winger who owed his election to Trump.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>US Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism seven years ago, also joined the criticism of Leo, saying the pope "needs to be careful" when commenting on theology.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-pope-says-he-does-not-want-to-debate-trump/21fb3d46-929f-42c8-babf-246cc6dc5ea6" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary, trying to interpret what has been said," Pope Leo said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The pope has called for peace and negotiation, and has criticised the use of religion as grounds for waging war.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In one speech, he accused "tyrants" of waging war and spending billions of dollars.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He also slammed Trump's threat to wipe out Iranian civilisation as "truly unacceptable."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>