'Concerning': Pope Leo XIV dishes rare criticism of Trump admin

Pope Leo XIV issued a rare comment, calling Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's speech to military brass "concerning" and the Trump administration's “inhuman treatment” of immigrants and the death penalty hypocritical for people who call themselves "pro-life" for opposing abortion.

The American-born pope was responding to questions from reporters outside his Castel Gandolfo residence late Tuesday, The Washington Post reported.

Leo apparently shook his head in response to questions about Hegseth's speech, delivering an unusual statement, as he has mainly stayed out of politics and the news.

“This way of speaking is concerning, because it shows, every time, an increase of tension,” Leo told reporters in Italian. “This wording, like going from minister of defense to minister of war. Let’s hope it’s just a figure of speech. Of course, there you have a style of governance meaning to show strength, so as to pile up pressure. Let’s hope this works and that there isn’t war. One always needs to work toward peace.”

The pope also indicated his hope for peace and said the plan for Gaza is "realistic." He added that he is hopeful it will be "accepted."

Reporters also asked him about the Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich's decision to give Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) a lifetime achievement award for his dedication to immigration, which drew some backlash from other clergy leaders in the state who argued the senator's position on abortion should not be overlooked ahead of the honor.

Leo said he was “not terribly familiar with the particular case. He added that it is “very important to look at the overall work a senator has done during, if I am not mistaken, 40 years of service in the United States Senate.”