Ralph Fiennes: I love Pope Leo standing up to Trump

Actor Ralph Fiennes has said “I love” that Pope Leo is standing up to US President Donald Trump.

Appearing on Andrew Marr’s show on LBC Radio, Fiennes spoke of the ongoing Iran conflict and what he described as “the obscene approach of Mr Trump’s regime to waging war”.

Fiennes starred in Oscar-winning film Conclave in 2024, playing the role of Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, who organises a conclave to elect the next pope.

Asked by Marr what he thought of Leo in light of his role, Fiennes said: “I think he’s great.

“I love his standing up to Trump, or implicitly to Trump by what he said.

“I think war is an obscenity.

“I think a central – as I understand it – a central theme of Christ’s teaching is war is wrong.

“You do not wage war, certainly not by choice.

“And the – in my view – not that you’re interested, but the obscene approach of Trump’s regime to waging war in this way, whatever.

“I make, no apologies for the Iranian regime, but the point about the Pope is he spoke about an ethical principle, about violence, about non-violence…”

Leo has issued consistent calls for peace and dialogue, and has denounced the use of religious justification for war.

Mr Trump has accused Leo of being soft on crime and cosy with the left, and said that the first American pontiff owed his election to him.

Discussing Leo, Fiennes continued: “He’s not looking for a fight, he’s looking to make a point of principle. And he’s in obviously an extraordinary position.

“He can say it, and I thought he positioned it and said it with great courage.

“And I’m a fan of Pope Leo. I’m a fan.”

Fiennes was appearing on LBC on Thursday evening to talk about his role in the West End play Grace Pervades.

He is due to reprise the role of Henry Irving at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from Friday, after it was previously performed at the Theatre Royal Bath last summer.