Pope Leo again condemns "zeal for war," deepening rift with Trump

Driving the news: During his annual address on Friday to the diplomatic corps to the Vatican, which serves as a blanket statement on foreign policy, Leo condemned "a diplomacy based on force" and a "zeal for war."

• Leo did not mention any world leaders by name, but alluded to the U.S. military attacks in the Caribbean and President Trump's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
• "The escalating tensions in the Caribbean Sea and along the American Pacific coast are also a cause for serious concern," the pope said.

Flashback: Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis, criticized Trump's immigration policies, such as mass deportations, more forcefully.

Here's what Leo has said or suggested about Trump's policies:

On Venezuela

What they're saying: "I wish to repeat my urgent appeal that peaceful political solutions to the current situation should be sought, keeping in mind the common good of the peoples and not the defense of partisan interests," Leo told diplomats on Friday.

• Leo did not mention Trump's recent moves, but said that "this pertains in particular to Venezuela, in light of recent developments."
• "In this regard, I renew my appeal to respect the will of the Venezuelan people, and to safeguard the human and civil rights of all, ensuring a future of stability and concord."

Catch up quick: Leo said on Sunday that Venezuela must remain an independent country, expressing concern for Venezuelans following the U.S. raid and ensuing capture of Maduro.

• "With a soul full of concern, I follow the developments of the situation in Venezuela," he said.
• Leo had noted last month the possibility of U.S. activity that could include "an operation to invade Venezuelan territory" and said it's "better to look for ways of dialogue."
• "Ensuring the rule of law enshrined in the Constitution, respecting the human and civil rights of each person and of all, and working to build together a serene future of collaboration, stability, and concord, with special attention to the poorest who suffer because of the difficult economic situation."

Between the lines: Leo is underscoring the fear of many critics, which is that Trump's moves in Venezuela amount to U.S. control of the country.

• America's oil abundance is emboldening Trump to wield power over Venezuela, Axios' Ben Geman writes.

On the U.S.-Europe alliance

Leo warned the Trump administration last month against what he described as an effort to "break apart" the alliance between the U.S. and Europe.

• When asked if he believed the U.S.-proposed peace plan to settle the Russia-Ukraine war was fair, Leo said that what he had seen "unfortunately" marked "a huge change in what was for many, many years a true alliance between Europe and the United States."
• Leo cited recent remarks made about Europe, presumably including the president's recent assessment of U.S. allies as "decaying," that he said are "trying to break apart what I think needs to be a very important alliance today and in the future."
• "It has a number of things in it that I think while perhaps many people in the United States would be in agreement, I think many others would see things in a different way."

According to the Vatican, Leo also stressed the importance of Europe's role in peace talks, saying it's unrealistic to try to reach a peace agreement without European involvement.

• "Unfortunately," he added, per the Vatican, "not everyone understands this, but I believe there is a great opportunity for the idea of Europe to come together and seek solutions collectively."

On Trump's treatment of immigrants

Zoom in: In November, Leo backed the U.S. Roman Catholic bishops' statement criticizing the Trump administration's immigration and mass deportation policies.

• "We have to look for ways of treating people humanely, treating people with the dignity that they have. If people are in the United States illegally, there are ways to treat that. There are courts. There's a system of justice," Leo said.

Context: The Trump administration has repeatedly defied court orders in its aggressive push to deport immigrants — often with little or no due process.

Leo said, "no one has said that the United States should have open borders. I think every country has a right to determine who and how and when people enter.

• "But when people are living good lives, and many of them for 10, 15, 20 years, to treat them in a way that is extremely disrespectful, to say the least — and there's been some violence, unfortunately — I think that the bishops have been very clear in what they said," he added.
• "I would just invite all people in the United States to listen to them."

The other side: When asked for comment, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson reiterated the statement she issued in response to the bishops' message, saying Trump was keeping his election promises, including his pledge "to deport criminal illegal aliens."