Kuala Lampur, April 13 --  

WASHINGTON, April 13 - Pope Leo told Reuters on Monday that he plans to continue speaking out against war after US President Donald Trump's direct attack on the leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church.

In comments aboard the papal flight to Algiers, where the first US pope is beginning a 10-day tour of four African countries, the pontiff also said the Christian message was being "abused".

"I don't want to get into a debate with him," Leo told Reuters as he greeted journalists on the plane. "I don't think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing."

"I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilate...