Reactions trail as Trump posts image of himself as Jesus, calls Pope Leo ‘weak’ over peace appeal

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has stirred reactions online after sharing an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ.

The image, posted on his social media platform Truth Social, shows Trump dressed in flowing robes and surrounded by radiant light, appearing to perform a healing. Figures resembling angels or soldiers are seen levitating around him.

The scene also features fighter jets streaking across the sky, fireworks lighting up the background, and the Statue of Liberty standing prominently — blending religious imagery with symbols of American strength and power.

Trump’s post followed his criticisms of Pope Leo XIV.

In a Truth Social post, Trump described the pope as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” after the pontiff called 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, 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 stance on global issues, including nuclear weapons and recent military actions.

Trump suggested that Leo’s election as pope was politically motivated, claiming he was chosen because he is American.

“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.”

‘NOT A FAN OF THE POPE’

In subsequent remarks to reporters, 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.

Trump’s comments followed remarks by Pope Leo on Saturday during evening prayers at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, where he called for peace amid escalating global tensions.

The pontiff warned against what he described as a growing “delusion of omnipotence” fuelling 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,” he said.

Earlier, in a post on X, the pope urged an end to the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, noting that peace can only be achieved through dialogue and coexistence.

TRUMP, POPE RIFT

The rift between both figures stems largely from the pope’s stance on global conflicts and migration.

Since the outbreak of the Iran war, Pope Leo has repeatedly condemned the violence, describing it as unjust and warning against what he called a “delusion of omnipotence” driving global tensions.

In an X post on Friday, the pontiff called for an end to the the festering war across the world.

He cautioned against invoking God to justify war, noting that “God does not bless any conflict” and urging world leaders to embrace dialogue over violence.

“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,” the pope had written.

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 pope had earlier declined an invitation to join a US-backed peace initiative for Gaza and cancelled a planned visit to the United States, opting instead to meet with migrants.

Tensions between both men surfaced shortly after Leo’s election in 2025 as the first American pope.

Although Trump initially welcomed the development as a “great honour” for the US, relations between the duo quickly deteriorated following policy disagreements and controversial social media posts.

The AI-generated image is the latest flashpoint in the deepening rift between the White House and the Vatican.

In 2025, Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself dressed as a pontiff on Truth Social. The post was later reshared by the White House.

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