BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) — Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday said Christians could not consider themselves such if they “promote war” — a thinly veiled reference to United States (US) President Donald Trump’s administration.

In a homily at Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica, Leo also appeared to refer to migration, saying Christians could not “abandon… those who flee from misery”.

“We cannot believe in Jesus and promote war. We cannot believe in Jesus and kill the innocent,” the pope said in front of thousands of worshippers including Spanish King Felipe VI and his wife Queen Letizia.