There is no evidence Pope Leo XIV publicly said the quote in question. A Google search of the words " Pope Leo 'you cannot follow both Christ and the cruelty of kings' " revealed only social media posts featuring the graphic above or attributing the quote to Pope Leo XIV without any evidence.

Pope Leo XIV called for “responsibility and reason” in the conflict between Israel and Iran. “No one should ever threaten the existence of another,” he wrote on X. “It is the duty of all countries to support the cause of peace,

The first U.S. bishop appointed by Pope Leo XIV has called for priests, deacons and parish leaders to accompany migrants to court and stand in solidarity with them.