Lula criticizes “powerful people who think they are deities” and attacks peace defenders

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed solidarity with Pope Leo 14 after attacks by United States President Donald Trump against the pontiff. Without mentioning the American’s name, Lula said that “throughout the history of humanity, defenders of peace and the oppressed have been attacked by powerful people who consider themselves to be deities when worshiped by mere mortals”.

“The same story has shown that a heart full of love for others is worth more than the power of weapons and money,” continued the president. The message is part of a video addressed to the Catholic community, on the occasion of the 62nd General Assembly of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), and was made public this Wednesday (15).

Since taking office, Leão 14 has repeatedly spoken out against Trump’s inhumane measures and more recently has defended the end of the war in the Middle East. He also declared, a few days ago, that he felt close to the “beloved Lebanese people”.

Also read: After image as pope, Trump’s sacrilege grows when comparing himself to Jesus

The position of the US-born pontiff generated the wrath of Trump, who called Leo 14 “weak” and “terrible at foreign policy”. In response, the pope said he did not fear the Trump administration.

The pope said his general call for peace and criticism of the “illusion of omnipotence” that is fueling wars with Iran and other conflicts around the world were not aimed directly at Trump or anyone else in particular.

“I will not hesitate to proclaim the message of the Gospel and to invite all people to look for ways to build bridges of peace and reconciliation, and to seek ways to avoid war whenever possible,” the pope said.

This week, Trump also published, on his social networks, a painting made by artificial intelligence that places his face on what would be the body of Jesus Christ healing a sick person. The post displeased part of his own conservative base and was taken down.

In recent days, Trump’s cult of personality, crazy actions and instability have raised questions about his mental health. In any case, the fact is that the behavior and measures of the US president show how the new fascist wave works, of which he is the main architect.