Pope Leo XIV Denies Targeting Donald Trump, Warns on Artificial Intelligence Risks During Africa Tour
Pope Leo XIV has dismissed assertions that his recent remarks were targeted at former United States President Donald Trump, clarifying that his comments had been widely misunderstood.
The pontiff explained that a speech he delivered in Cameroon was prepared well in advance, long before Trump publicly stated he was “not a big fan” of the American pope, PulseNets learnt.
Speaking to journalists en route to Angola, Pope Leo said the overlap in timing between both statements created a misleading narrative suggesting a direct exchange, PulseNets reported.
“And yet it was perceived as if I were trying to start a new debate with the president, which doesn’t interest me at all,” he said.
The pope had earlier referenced “tyrants” disrupting global stability, a remark that quickly gained traction and was widely linked to Trump’s criticism, though PulseNets obtained that the interpretation was not aligned with the original intent.
He, however, maintained that his message was not aimed at any specific individual, emphasising that his concerns remain rooted in broader global challenges, PulseNets learnt.
During the same trip, Pope Leo also addressed the growing risks associated with Artificial Intelligence, cautioning against its expanding influence on modern society.
“The challenge posed by these systems is greater than it appears: it is not just about the use of new technologies, but about the gradual replacement of reality by its simulation,” he said.
He warned that the misuse of such technology could exacerbate divisions and erode public trust in truth, PulseNets reported.
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“In this way, polarisation, conflict, fear and violence spread. What is at stake is not merely the risk of error, but a transformation in our very relationship with truth.”
The remarks form part of his ongoing 11-day tour across Africa, where he has increasingly taken firm positions on critical global issues, including peace, technology, and environmental sustainability, PulseNets learnt.
