WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S.-born Pope Leo XIV pushed back Monday on President Donald Trump’s broadside against him over the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration.

“To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here, I think is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” Leo told The Associated Press aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria. “And I’m sorry to hear that but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today.”

History’s first U.S.-born pope stressed that he was not making a direct attack against Trump or anyone else with his general appeal for peace and criticisms of the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling the Iran wars and other conflicts around the world.

“I will not enter into debate. The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone. The message of the Gospel is very clear: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’” Leo said.

“I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel and inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, and looking for ways to avoid war any time that’s possible”

Speaking to other reporters, he added: “I have no fear of the Trump administration.”

Trump says Leo is not ‘doing a very good job’

Trump delivered an extraordinary broadside against Leo on Sunday night, saying he didn’t think the U.S.-born global leader of the Catholic Church is “doing a very good job” and that “he’s a very liberal person,” while also suggesting the pontiff should “stop catering to the Radical Left.”

Flying back to Washington from Florida, Trump used a lengthy social media post to sharply criticize Leo, then kept it up after deplaning, in comments on the tarmac to reporters.

“I’m not a fan of Pope Leo,” he said.

Trump’s comments came after Leo suggested over the weekend that a “delusion of omnipotence” is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran. While it’s not unusual for popes and presidents to be at cross purposes, it’s exceedingly rare for the pope to directly criticize a U.S. leader — and Trump’s stinging response is equally uncommon, if not more so.

“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” the president wrote in his post, adding, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.”

Italian politicians across the spectrum showed their solidarity with Leo. Premier Giorgia Meloni sent a message of support for his peace mission while the leader of the main opposition party, Elly Schlein, was more direct, calling Trump’s attacks “extremely serious.”

All of that came after Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, the same day the United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan during a fragile ceasefire. The pope didn’t mention the United States or Trump by name, but his tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officials, who have boasted of U.S. military superiority and justified the war in religious terms.

Leo, who is on an 11-day trip to Africa starting Monday — has previously said that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.” He’s also referenced an Old Testament passage from Isaiah, saying that “even though you make many prayers, I will not listen — your hands are full of blood.”

Before the ceasefire, when Trump warned of mass strikes against Iranian power plants and other infrastructure and that “an entire civilization will die tonight,” Leo described such sentiments as “truly unacceptable.”

In his social media post on Sunday night, however, Trump went far beyond the war in Iran in criticizing Leo.

The president wrote, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States.” That was a reference to the Trump administration having ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January.

“I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do,” Trump added, referencing his 2024 election victory.

He also suggested in the post that Leo only got his position “because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.”

“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump wrote, adding, “Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!”

In his subsequent comments to reporters, Trump remained highly critical, saying of Leo, “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime I guess” and adding, “He’s a very liberal person.”

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement saying he was “disheartened” by Trump’s comments.

“Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls,” Coakley said.

In the 2024 election, Trump won 55% of Catholic voters, according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. But Trump’s administration also has close ties to conservative evangelical Protestant leaders and has claimed heavenly endorsement for the war on Iran.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Americans to pray for victory “in the name of Jesus Christ.” And, when Trump was asked whether he thought God approved of the war, he said, “I do, because God is good — because God is good and God wants to see people taken care of.”

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Winfield reported from aboard the papal plane.

“He was known for his cheeky, mischievous nature, bringing smiles and laughter to those around him every day”

Tributes have been paid to a popular Belfast bar worker after his sudden death at the weekend.

Blake Greer passed away suddenly on Saturday, April 11. He’s been remembered for his sense of humour and “cheeky, mischievous nature” that brought smiles to all who knew him.

A bar worker at The Northern Whig in Belfast City Centre, Blake’s work colleagues say they have been left “incredibly heartbroken”.

A statement on Funeraltimes said: “GREER, 11TH APRIL 2026, BLAKE, suddenly, dearly beloved son of Gerard and Julie, much loved brother of Rhys and Chelsea, loving boyfriend of Elizabeth, dear grandson of Kathleen & Brendan Dowd and Maria and the late Bobby Greer, a dear nephew, cousin and good friend to many.

“Funeral arrangements to follow. Any enquiries to Charles Rourke & Sons Funeral Directors 028 4461 3740.”

The Northern Whig paid tribute to Blake saying: “We are incredibly heartbroken to share the passing of our much-loved friend and colleague, Blake.

“Since joining us, he became a true part of the furniture – always there, always willing to help, and someone who would do anything for anyone. He was known for his cheeky, mischievous nature, bringing smiles and laughter to those around him every day.

“His kindness, humour, and spirit made a lasting impact on all of us. We all love him so much. He will be missed terribly by his friends at the Whig, as well as by all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace, Blake.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The band even hailed their lunch in Manchester as ‘absolutely insanely good’

A major rock band visited a popular sandwich shop in Manchester at the weekend that’s already garnered a loyal following with many Manchester City FC players.

On Friday evening (April 10), Enter Shikari played an intimate show at the Satan’s Hollow nightclub and live music venue on Princess Street. The gig at the 450-capacity spot was announced just weeks beforehand, held to mark almost 20 years to the day they first played in the city.

The genre-spanning band – made up of bassist Chris Batten, vocalist Rou Reynolds, drummer Rob Rolfe and guitarist Rory Clewlow – first broke out into the scene in 2003 and released their debut album, Take To The Skies, back in 2007. Last week, they released their eighth studio album Lose Your Self without any notice.

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During the weekend, the band took the time to bask in some of the city’s popular spots and paid a visit to the Ad Maiora sandwich shop, on Tib Street in the Northern Quarter. Known for their freshly-made schiacciata Tuscan-style flatbreads, the shop opened last year following the success of their original shops in Ancoats and Salford.

Run by couple Daniela Steri and Enrico Pinn, who started their business by baking from their flat in the Northern Quarter in 2023, the sandwich shop has gained a big reputation for its over-loaded creations, all using their own home-made breads and with authentic Italian meats and cheeses.

The pair have earned fans from a bunch of famous faces, including Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. City striker Erling Haaland has become such a fan of the shop that he now also has a mighty sandwich named after him featuring some of his favourite things.

On Saturday, Ad Maiora took to social media to share news of Enter Shikari’s visit by posting a photo of the rock band outside with co-owner Daniela. The post wrote: “From the stage to the schiacciata. Enter Shikari at Ad Maiora.”

The band responded with a bunch of praising and heart emojis, whilst guitarist Rory shared his impressions on his lunch by commenting: “I think calling it a sandwich is kinda like you trying to be humble? It is absolutely insanely good. Thank you so much for having us! X.”

Fans of the band and the sandwich shop also took to the comments section to share their love, and to also add in a few cheeky puns as well. One person commented: “Enter Salami.” Another wrote: “What a collab.” One other joked: “Enter Schiacciataaaaaa.”

The Kerrang! Award winners will return to Manchester later this year for a show at Co-op Live. The November 19 gig will mark the band’s largest ever UK and EU headline arena tour.

Anthony Place died at the scene after his blue Yamaha motorbike collided with a car park barrier on a side road off Rivington Lane, near to Rivington Barn.

The 38-year-old’s family paid tribute to him and said: “Rest easy our beautiful son – you left us way too soon.

“Your smile lit up every room you went in to and your energy gravitated on to everyone you met.

“You were a loving father, stepfather, and partner, the best big brother, and a crazy uncle.

“Words will not come close to how this emptiness feels. You have left many hearts broken and a void that will never be filled.”

Anthony Place (Image: Lancashire Police)

The crash happened shortly after 9pm on Wednesday, March 8, and a woman in her 30s who was a passenger on the bike suffered minor injuries.

No other vehicles are thought to have been involved.

Lancashire Police are still appealing for information and footage that can help with their investigation.

If you have any information or footage that could assist our enquiries is asked to call 101 or email SCIU@lancashire.police.uk quoting log 1561 of 8th April.

Brits are being warned to look after the “important” travel document and to keep it away from their pets, especially if they’re expecting a new one through the post.

In a post on X, warning passport holders, it said: “If you’re expecting your new passport, keep an eye out… and keep it out of reach of curious paws!

“Your passport is important — and definitely not chew‑toy approved.”

If you’re expecting your new passport, keep an eye out… and keep it out of reach of curious paws! Your passport is important — and definitely not chew‑toy approved. #LoveYourPet#PassportDelivery pic.twitter.com/xiL2ZHxV74

— His Majesty’s Passport Office (@HM_Passport) April 11, 2026

If you have a new passport arriving, it’s worth keeping your postal deliveries away from pets until you receive it, as a chewed-up passport will mean you’ll need to buy another one.

Anyone with a passport in their house may also wish to keep the passport away from pets in case it gets damaged.

A damaged passport can result in extra costs for replacement, and trips could even be put on hold.

When is a passport considered damaged?

If your dog, or other pet, gets hold of your passport, you might wonder how much damage you can get away with.

To help you out, the government website has shared a list of conditions that will not be accepted.

Your passport is damaged if:

• you can’t read any of your details
• any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing
• there are holes, cuts or rips in the cover
• the cover is coming away
• there are stains, like ink or water damage, on the pages

The new EU Entry and Exit System explained

How much does it cost to renew a damaged passport?

If you replace an adult passport online, you can expect to pay £102.

Applying by post will cost £115.50, which can be paid by a debit or credit card or via cheque to HM Passport Office.

How much do passports cost now?

The news comes following an increase in passport prices, which came into effect on April 8.

Here are the new prices:

Standard online application:

• For adults – £102 (up from £94.50)
• For children – £66.50 (up from £61.50)

Standard postal application:

• For adults – £115.50 (up from £107)
• For children – £80 (up from £74)

A Premium Service (one day) application made from the UK will cost £239.50, up from £222.

Do I need travel insurance?

Recommended reading:

How long does it take to get a new passport?

The government asks Brits to apply for a passport “in good time before travelling”.

It added: “In 2025, where no further information was required, 99.7% of standard applications from the UK were processed within three weeks.”

Tell us the destination that’s at the top of your travel bucket list in the comments below.

When is my garden ready for me to plant dahlias?

Any other advice?

“Yes, it was about petrol, diesel, home heating oil, but it was also about all of the other pressures that people are feeling – whether it’s energy costs, whether it’s groceries, whether it’s rents that continue to go up, and basically a tipping point that the government aren’t listening, that we needed something to happen in terms of (a) cost (of) living package.”

Experts advise avoiding one common lawn care mistake in spring to encourage wildflowers, bees and butterflies in your garden

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While a wildflower-filled lawn may not suit everyone’s tastes, many gardeners are keen to pack their outdoor spaces with blooms, or dedicate a designated patch to wildflowers in order to attract vital pollinators. However, there is one common error that could be preventing flowers from taking hold in your lawn.

Lawn specialists at the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) have recommended steering clear of excessive mowing in spring if you are hoping to encourage wildflowers to flourish, even suggesting that regular mowing be held off until summer.

The experts explained: “With a conventional lawn, mow once a fortnight or once a week, depending on growth.

“For a flower-rich lawn or wildflower meadow, leave uncut in spring to provide much-needed support to pollinators and a welcome break from mowing.”

While a couple of mows in April may be tempting, they advise giving the lawnmower a rest entirely in May, referring to the month as “no mow May”.

As the name implies, this simply means refraining from mowing throughout May, allowing wild plants already present in your garden to grow and come into bloom.

You can choose to leave your entire lawn untouched, or alternatively set aside just one section to remain uncut for wildflowers.

Regular fortnightly mowing can then resume in June, or later still if preferred.

No Mow May was established in 2019 by UK conservation charity Plantlife, noted the Express, with the aim of tackling the devastating decline of flower-rich meadows – of which 97 per cent have disappeared since the 1930s.

The pledge urges gardeners to leave their lawnmowers in the shed throughout May.

Plantlife campaigners say: “No Mow May is one of the easiest ways to help the environment – letting wildflowers like daisies, dandelions and clovers grow while supporting bees and butterflies.

“Even small wild patches add up to make a huge difference to nature.”

The handbag showed off one of her son’s biggest achievements

Rory McIlroy’s mum brought a special handbag to Augusta National on Sunday as she watched her son triumph once again at The Masters.

Rosie McIlroy didn’t attend the Major last year when Rory won the coveted green jacket for the first time, and there were emotional scenes as the Holywood man embraced his parents after winning another one as he achieved back-to-back victories at the tournament.

Although she was not there to witness his first Masters, it is still a moment that was very dear to Rosie’s heart as she brought a special handbag to the final round this year, which reminded her of that moment. The bag is decorated with newspaper clippings and pictures of Rory’s first Masters win.

READ MORE: Rory McIlroy Masters prize money in full after historic triumph at AugustaREAD MORE: In Pictures: Rory McIlroy’s incredible Masters victory as he celebrates with his family

A picture of the bag has gone viral on social media, with many thinking it was a touching way for a mum to support her son.

Following his win at Augusta National on April 12, Rory paid tribute to his parents, Rosie and Gerry, saying: “Mum and dad, I owe everything…” Choking back tears, he added: “You’re the most wonderful parents, and if I’m half the parent to Poppy that you were to me, I’ll do a good job.”

“I caught myself on the golf course a couple of times thinking about them, and I was like ‘No, not yet, not yet’,” he said.

“It’s really cool to have them here. They missed it last year and the first thing I wanted to do was fly home to see them because I obviously wouldn’t be sitting up here if it wasn’t for them.

“I had to sort of convince them to come this year because they thought the reason I won last year was because they weren’t here.

“When the ball trickled by and I marked it there from two inches or whatever (at the last) I just looked at the back of the green because I saw my mum and dad and Erica (his wife) and Poppy (his daughter) and I was just like ‘I can’t believe I’ve just done it again’.

“Not as emotional, but just, wow, it’s amazing. I can’t believe I did it again.”

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“I said on the putting green that I’m glad we proved that wrong, so they can keep coming as long as they want. It’s amazing to have them here. I’m excited to celebrate with them tonight.”

But having waited a decade between his fourth and fifth, which secured the career grand slam a year ago, the desire for more still drives the 36-year-old.

“It took me 10 years to win my fifth major, and then my sixth one’s come pretty soon after it,” he said.

“I’m not putting a number on it, but I certainly don’t want to stop here.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

SEEDS will move into a dedicated facility at NETPark as part of Durham County Council’s £100 million expansion of the site.

The move will allow the company to shift from research and development to manufacturing—and begin delivering customer-specific systems.

Jason Chehal, founder of SEEDS, said: “This expansion marks a defining moment for SEEDS, as we move from research excellence into full commercial deployment.

“Over the past decade, we’ve developed a way to engineer graphene not just as a material, but as a platform technology that can be tuned to solve real-world industrial challenges at scale.

“Moving into our new facility at NETPark allows us to begin delivering customer specific systems across industries including microelectronics, energy storage, aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

“What’s particularly powerful is the ecosystem we’re part of here.

“Collaborations with CPI, Mitsui, and Pragmatic Semiconductor demonstrate how innovation in County Durham can translate directly into global industrial impact.

“We are now at the point where the technology is proven, the demand is established, and the pathways to market are clear.

“Each production system we deploy has the potential to support a major manufacturer anywhere in the world.

“That positions not only SEEDS, but the North East and the UK, at the forefront of next generation materials and electronics.”

SEEDS will supply its advanced graphene technology to major international manufacturers across the global aerospace, energy, semiconductors, and automotive sectors.

NETPark’s £100 million expansion has enabled the growth of sector-leading companies like SEEDS by providing more than 285,000 square feet of high-specification laboratory and advanced manufacturing space.

Councillor Joe Quinn, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for planning, investment and assets, said: “SEEDS’ expansion at NETPark reflects the critical role County Durham plays in the UK’s advanced manufacturing landscape.

“We have outstanding, state-of-the-art space for laboratories and manufacturing facilities, ready now and unique in the North East.

“We are delighted to support SEEDS’ growth and would urge any expanding business looking for purpose-built, modern facilities to come and see the exceptional offer we have here at NETPark.”

With the expanded site now fully operational, it is expected to create 1,250 skilled jobs onsite and contribute £625 million to the local economy over the next decade.

SEEDS’ growth has been supported by NETPark’s collaborative ecosystem, including the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), Durham University, and Business Durham.

CPI has worked closely with the company, helping to refine its technology and scale up from early-stage research to production.

A strategic partnership with Mitsui, formalised in November, is already opening doors to international microelectronics manufacturers and accelerating the company’s global reach.

The expansion of NETPark and the success of companies like SEEDS highlight County Durham’s growing reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing and next-generation technology.