Pope Leo Backs Away from Trump Standoff | DW News

Apr 18, 2026 | Pope Leo has seemingly backed away from what many saw as a war of words with Donald Trump. Speaking to journalists on a flight from Angola to Cameroon, he said he had no interest in debating the US president. After one of the most explosive church-state clashes in modern history, is this a principled position or a tactical retreat? From "no fear" to "no debate," what changed for the American who leads the Catholic Church? America Magazine Vatican correspondent Colleen Dulle provides the analysis.