United States President Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy after posting an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ, intensifying tensions with Pope Leo XIV.
The image, shared on Truth Social, shows Trump robed and surrounded by radiant light, appearing to perform a healing, with figures resembling angels or soldiers levitating nearby. Fighter jets streak across the sky, fireworks explode overhead, and the Statue of Liberty looms in the background — imagery blending religious symbolism with projections of American military power.
The post came shortly after Trump publicly criticised the pope over his stance on global conflicts and governance.
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.
“He talks about ‘fear’ of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the fear that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian organisations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else for holding church services.”
The US president also criticised the pontiff’s positions on nuclear weapons and recent military actions.
“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States,” Trump said.
“And I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History.
“Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise. He wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.
“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican. Unfortunately, Leo’s Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons, does not sit well with me.”
Speaking to reporters later, Trump said he is “not a fan” of the pope.
“I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime I guess. He’s a very liberal person,” he added.
The remarks followed comments by Pope Leo 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, stressing that peace can only be achieved through dialogue and coexistence.
“God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs,” he wrote.
The rift between both figures stems largely from disagreements over global conflicts and migration. Since the outbreak of tensions involving Iran, the pope has repeatedly condemned violence, warning against what he described as a growing “delusion of omnipotence” driving global crises.
He has also criticised mass deportations and immigration raids in the United States, describing the treatment of migrants as inhumane and contrary to human dignity. The pontiff previously declined an invitation to join a US-backed Gaza peace initiative and cancelled a planned visit to the United States, opting instead to meet with migrants.
Tensions between Trump and Pope Leo first emerged shortly after the latter’s election in 2025 as the first American pope. Although Trump initially described the development as a “great honour” for the United States, relations have since deteriorated amid policy disagreements and controversial public statements.
Boluwatife Enome
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