SAO PAULO: Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday that Pope Leo XIV should be defended from “powerful people” who have recently criticised him. The leftist leader’s comments come amid a tense exchange of attacks between the pontiff and US President Donald Trump.

Earlier Wednesday, during his trip to Cameroon, the first US-born pope insisted that “the message the world needs to hear today” is one of peace and dialogue. In recent days, Trump has doubled down on his criticism of Leo’s comments against the war in Iran.

The 80-year-old Lula, who is running for reelection in October, spoke in a video message sent to a gathering of Brazil’s national conference of bishops.