Pope Leo XIV said that he plans to continue speaking out against war after US President Donald Trump’s direct attack on the leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church.

Axar.az informs, citing Reuters, that in comments aboard the papal flight to Algiers, where the first US pope is starting a 10-day tour to four African countries, the pontiff also said the Christian message was being “abused.”

“I don’t want to get into a debate with him,” he said.

“I don’t think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing.”

“I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems,” he said, speaking on English.

“Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there’s a better way,” he added.