US President Donald Trump has stirred another global controversy after sharing an AI-generated image of himself depicted as Jesus Christ, alongside a fresh verbal attack on Pope Leo XIV, whom he branded “weak” over his calls for global peace.
The image, posted on Truth Social, shows Trump robed in white, bathed in radiant light, and appearing to perform a healing act, while angel-like figures and soldiers hover around him. In the background, fighter jets streak across the sky, fireworks erupt, and the Statue of Liberty stands prominently, mixing religious symbolism with military and national imagery.
The controversial post came shortly after Trump intensified his criticism of Pope Leo XIV, who had urged an end to escalating global conflicts.
In a Truth Social message, Trump described the pontiff as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” while accusing him of unfair criticism toward his administration.
“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.”
Trump also rejected the pope’s positions on nuclear weapons and international conflicts, suggesting his election was politically influenced.
“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,” he 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 doubled down on his criticism.
“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 came after Pope Leo XIV’s weekend address at St Peter’s Basilica, where he condemned global violence and called for peace amid rising tensions, including conflicts involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
“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 earlier messages on X, the pontiff urged dialogue over violence and warned against using religion to justify war, stating that “God does not bless any conflict.”
“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.
He has also criticized immigration raids and mass deportations in the United States, calling them inhumane, and has focused his recent engagements on meeting migrants and peace advocates.
Tensions between Trump and Pope Leo escalated after the pontiff’s election in 2025 as the first American pope, with early diplomatic goodwill quickly giving way to public disagreements over policy and global affairs.
