Pope Leo Warns Democracies Risk Tyranny Without Moral Foundations After Trump Criticism

Pope Leo issued a stark warning about the fragility of democracies lacking moral foundations.

“Pope Leo, after Trump's attack, honours saint in Algeria who decried wars By Joshua McElwee ANNABA, Algeria, April 14 (Reuters) - Pope Leo paid homage to his spiritual roots on Tuesday, travelling to the ancient birthplace in Algeria of St”

Al-Monitor

He cautioned they risk becoming majoritarian tyranny or tools for economic and technological elites.

Al-Monitor

The warning came two days after Trump attacked him on social media.

Trump had criticised Leo as terrible after the pope emerged as a growing critic of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Leo stated that the legitimacy of authority depends on wisdom and virtue, not economic or technological strength.

The pope emphasized that power could not be seen as an end in itself but as a means ordered toward the common good.

Pope Leo paid homage to his spiritual roots by travelling to the birthplace of St. Augustine of Hippo in Algeria.

Augustine first proposed criteria to evaluate whether wars could be considered just.

The Straits Times

These criteria remain Catholic doctrine and have been invoked by critics of the Iran war.

Washington Cardinal Robert McElroy said the war was morally illegitimate.

Leo laid a wreath and helped plant a sapling at the site.

At a nursing home, he said God's heart is torn apart by wars, violence, injustice and lies.