US President Donald Trump has ignited fresh controversy after posting an AI-generated image portraying himself as Jesus Christ, deepening tensions with Pope Leo XIV.
The image, shared on Trump’s Truth platform on Sunday, shows the US leader dressed in flowing robes, bathed in radiant light, with his hands extended in a pose reminiscent of healing. Figures resembling angels, or armed personnel, hover around him, while fighter jets lined across the sky and fireworks explode overhead.
The Statue of Liberty appears prominently in the background, blending religious imagery with American symbolism.
The post follows a series of criticisms by Trump targeting the pontiff, whom he accused of being weak on key global issues.
He described Pope Leo as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” arguing that the Catholic leader had unfairly targeted his administration while ignoring actions taken against religious gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, defending US foreign policy decisions and military actions.
He further claimed that the pope’s emergence in 2025 as the first American pontiff was politically influenced. “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump said, adding that the pope’s views on security and global conflicts were out of sync with his administration.
Speaking to journalists later, Trump said he was “not a fan” of the pope, describing him as “very liberal” and questioning his leadership.
The remarks appear to be in response to comments by Pope Leo during prayers at St Peter’s Basilica, where he warned against rising global violence and condemned what he termed a growing “delusion of omnipotence” among world leaders.
“Enough of the idolatry of self and money… Enough of war,” the pope said, urging restraint, dialogue and a renewed commitment to peace.
In earlier remarks posted on X, the pontiff criticised ongoing conflicts involving the United States, Israel and Iran, insisting that “God does not bless any conflict” and warning against using religion to justify violence.
Addressing reporters aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria on Monday, Pope Leo sought to distance himself from a direct confrontation with Trump.
“I think that the people who read will be able to draw their own conclusions: I am not a politician, I have no intention of entering into a debate with him. Rather, let us always seek peace and put an end to wars. I am not afraid of the Trump administration. I speak about the Gospel, I am not a politician,” he said.
“I do not think the message of the Gospel should be abused in the way some people are doing. I will continue to speak out loudly against war, to try to promote peace, multilateral dialogue between states… Too many people are suffering in the world.”
Beyond geopolitical disagreements, divisions between both figures have also been shaped by contrasting positions on migration. Pope Leo has repeatedly criticised mass deportations and immigration raids in the United States, describing them as inhumane and contrary to human dignity.
He also declined participation in a US-backed Gaza peace initiative and cancelled a planned visit to the United States, opting instead to meet migrants, moves widely seen as subtle but pointed signals of disagreement with Washington.
Relations between Trump and the Vatican began to sour shortly after the pope’s election in 2025. Although Trump initially described the development as a “great honour” for the United States, ties have since deteriorated amid policy clashes and increasingly sharp public exchanges.
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