The battle between the President and the Pope continues to play out on the world stage.

And some allies of President Trump are piling on to defend the war in Iran.

The Pope has not backed down from his criticisms of the conflict either,

but he's taking a different approach during his visit to Africa.

Good morning, everyone.

On his flight from Algeria to Cameroon today, Pope Leo avoided President Trump's war of words

and told journalists that the world needs peace.

Although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshiping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace.

His message came after a new social media post from the president this morning,

sharing an image of himself being cradled by Jesus.

President Trump deleted a controversial post from earlier in the week of himself depicted as Jesus

that prompted criticism from many Christians.

But Christian and even Catholic members of the Trump administration are standing

behind the president. At a turning point USA event in Georgia last night, Catholic convert and

Vice President J.D. Vance disagreed with Leo's theology and suggested the Pope should be careful.

When the Pope says that God is never on the side of those who will the sword, there is a thousand year, more than a thousand year tradition of just war theory.

Okay?

Now we can of course have disagreements about whether this or that conflict is just, but I think that it's important.

In the same way that it's important for the Vice President of United States to be careful when I talk about matters of public policy,

I think it's very, very important for the Pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology.

Many Republicans have stayed quiet or urged the President to leave the church alone.

But today, House Speaker Mike Johnson backed Vance and the President.

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