Donald Trump has stirred controversy after posting an AI-generated image of himself depicted as Jesus Christ, while launching a fresh attack on Pope Leo XIV over his stance on global peace.
In the post, Trump described the pope as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” reacting to the pontiff’s call for an end to rising global conflicts.\
“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump wrote.
“He talks about ‘fear’ of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the fear that the Catholic Church… had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers…”
Trump also criticised the pope’s views on global issues, adding: “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon… And I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States…”
He further claimed the pope’s emergence was politically influenced: “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican… Leo’s Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons, does not sit well with me.”
Reacting earlier, Pope Leo had called for peace, warning against what he described as a growing “delusion of omnipotence” driving conflicts.
“Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life.”