Archbishop Wojciech Polak, the Primate of Poland, said on Tuesday he would not enter into a dispute with Trump and instead aligned himself with the pope’s message.
In a statement published by the Archdiocese of Gniezno, Polak said: "I fully identify with Pope Leo’s call for peace" and added that he was praying "for an end to war and for so many innocent people to be spared death."
Polak also echoed one of the pope's recent remarks, saying he too was not a politician and would not engage in a polemic with the US president.
He added: "The future belongs to men and women of peace," and said that what is needed now is "the true courage of peace."
His statement came after Trump publicly attacked Pope Leo on Sunday and again on Monday.
In social media posts and later comments to reporters, Trump called the US-born pontiff "weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy."
He also said he had no reason to apologize and would not withdraw his criticism.
The dispute followed papal remarks on war and peace. Speaking to reporters on a flight to Algeria on Monday, Pope Leo said he would continue to appeal for peace and speak out against war.
He added that he was not afraid of the US administration and did not intend to enter into an argument with Trump.
Trump's crusade against Leo left many right-wing politicians under pressure to defend the pope, as many of their voters have a strong attachment to Catholic tradition.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a Trump ally, has called Trump's comments about Leo "unacceptable."
"The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal for him to call for peace and to condemn every form of war," Meloni said in a statement published by her office on Monday.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP, archidiecezja.pl, politico.eu, nbcnews.com