The US president was asked about the appeal from his countryman Pope Leo for a ceasefire and dialogue in the Middle East.
"Pope Leo is calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East and to reopen dialogue. What do you say to the Pope, sir?"
This was the question posed to US President Trump by a Catholic media organization on March 20.
The president said that "we can have dialogue," but said he didn't have desire for a ceasefire.
Pope Leo has in fact repeatedly called for an end to war and conflicts, as much in the Middle East as in Ukraine, and many other places suffering war.
Last Sunday, the Pope said:
For two weeks now, the peoples of the Middle East have been suffering the horrific violence of war. Thousands of innocent people have been killed, and countless others have been forced to flee their homes. I renew my prayerful closeness to all who have lost loved ones in the attacks, which have struck schools, hospitals, and residential areas.
President Trump's full answer to the journalist on Friday was the following:
We can have dialogue but I don't wanna do a ceasefire. You know, you don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side.
They don't have a navy, they don’t have an air force, they don’t have any equipment to ...., they don’t have any spotters, they don’t have anti-aircraft, they don’t have radar, and their leaders have all been killed at every level. We’re not looking to do [a ceasefire].
