United States President Donald Trump has stirred widespread backlash after sharing an AI-generated image portraying himself as Jesus Christ, further escalating his ongoing clash with Pope Leo XIV.
The controversial image, posted on Truth Social, depicts Trump in flowing robes, surrounded by radiant light and appearing to perform a healing. Figures resembling angels or soldiers hover nearby, while fighter jets cut across the sky and fireworks burst overhead. The Statue of Liberty appears in the background, blending religious symbolism with imagery of American military strength.
The post comes amid heightened tensions between the two figures, following Trump’s recent criticism of the pope’s positions on global conflicts and governance.
In a strongly worded statement, Trump accused Pope Leo XIV of being weak on crime and ineffective in foreign policy. He also referenced restrictions placed on religious gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that churches were unfairly targeted.
The U.S. president further criticised the pontiff’s stance on nuclear weapons and recent military actions, while defending his own administration’s record on crime and economic performance. He also questioned the circumstances surrounding the pope’s emergence, suggesting political motivations within the Catholic Church.
Speaking to reporters, Trump doubled down on his criticism, stating that he is “not a fan” of the pope and describing him as overly liberal.
The remarks followed a message delivered by Pope Leo XIV during evening prayers at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, where he called for peace amid rising global tensions.
“Enough of the idolatry of self and money. Enough of the display of power. Enough of war. True strength is shown in serving life,” the pope said.
In an earlier post on X, the pontiff urged an end to ongoing conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, emphasising dialogue and coexistence as the only path to lasting peace.
“God does not bless any conflict,” he wrote, stressing that followers of Christ must stand for peace rather than violence.
The widening rift between Trump and Pope Leo XIV is largely rooted in disagreements over global conflicts and migration policies. The pope has consistently condemned violence linked to rising tensions involving Iran and has warned against what he described as a growing “delusion of omnipotence” among global leaders.
He has also criticised U.S. immigration policies, including mass deportations and enforcement raids, describing them as inhumane and contrary to human dignity. The pontiff previously declined to participate in a U.S.-backed Gaza peace initiative and cancelled a planned visit to the United States, choosing instead to engage directly with migrant communities.
Relations between both figures were initially cordial following Pope Leo XIV’s election in 2025 as the first American pope, a development Trump once described as a “great honour” for the United States. However, ties have since deteriorated amid deepening policy differences and increasingly pointed public exchanges.
