The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) published an official statement on Monday (Apr. 13) in support of Pope Leo XIV, after he received criticism from US President Donald Trump.

The document serves as an institutional response in support of the pontiff’s stance on the escalation of armed conflicts in the Middle East. On Saturday (11), during a special prayer vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope called on world leaders to refrain from any “show of force” and to “sit down at the table of dialogue and mediation.”

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The CNBB noted in a statement that Pope Leo XIV’s authority is guided by “fidelity to the Gospel.” The Brazilian conference further maintains that Leo XIV continually works to defend human dignity and promote dialogue for conflict resolution. 

“The Pope’s spiritual and moral authority is not guided by the logic of political confrontation, but by fidelity to the Gospel, which continually raises its voice in defense of peace, human dignity, and dialogue among peoples,” the text reads.

The statement is signed by the leaders of the organization – CNBB President Cardinal Jaime Spengler; first and second vice presidents, Bishop João Justino de Medeiros and Bishop Paulo Jackson; and Secretary-General Bishop Ricardo Hoepers.

Trump

On Sunday (12), in a statement to the press, Trump described Pope Leo XIV as “weak on crime and terrible at foreign policy,” as well as “a very liberal person.” Leo XIV is the first US pope and assumed leadership of the Catholic Church in May 2025. 

The President of the US stated that he does not like the Pope’s stance on nuclear weapons.

“We don’t want a pope that says crime is OK in our cities. I don’t like it. I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo,” the president said.

The US president also posted a photo montage generated by artificial intelligence that depicts him as a divine figure healing a sick man. The post was made on Sunday (12) and deleted on Monday (13). 

On Monday morning, Pope Leo declared he was not afraid of the Trump administration or of proclaiming the Gospel message aloud. The statement came in response to questions from journalists who were with him aboard the papal plane during the first leg of his apostolic journey to the African continent.