Washington DC: US President Donald Trump has ignited a fresh global debate after sharing a provocative AI-generated image of himself portrayed with Christ-like attributes on Truth Social. The image, which depicts Trump in biblical robes laying hands on a bedridden man as light emanates from his fingers, was posted shortly after the President launched a stinging verbal attack on Pope Leo XIV. The move has drawn sharp criticism from religious leaders who labeled the imagery disrespectful, while supporters have largely defended it as digital satire or symbolic of his leadership.
The social media post followed a series of remarks where Trump declared he is “not a fan” of the US-born Pope, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.” The tension escalated after Pope Leo XIV suggested that a “delusion of omnipotence” was fueling the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. Trump retorted by accusing the Pontiff of catering to the “Radical Left” and suggesting that Leo only attained his position because of his American nationality to better deal with the Trump administration.
This uncommon public rift between the Vatican and the White House comes at a sensitive time, as the Pope prepares for an 11-day trip to Africa and the US continues face-to-face negotiations with Iran in Pakistan. Trump further criticized the Pope for his past opposition to US military actions in Venezuela and his stance on nuclear weapons. Despite the backlash, the Trump administration continues to maintain strong ties with conservative evangelical leaders, often framing its foreign policy decisions in religious terms.
