Trump Targets Pope Leo XIV Amid Row Over AI Image and War Remarks

Donald Trump has ignited fresh controversy after sharing an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated image on his social media platform, Truth Social, depicting himself in the form of Jesus Christ. The image shows Trump dressed in biblical-era robes, appearing to heal a sick individual with light emanating from his fingers. The post comes at a time of escalating verbal exchanges between Trump and Pope Leo XIV. Reacting strongly to the Pope’s criticism of the ongoing US-Iran conflict, Trump stated that he is “not a fan” of Pope Leo, describing him as “weak and liberal.” He further accused the Pope of being soft on crime and influenced by what he called “radical leftists.” Trump also claimed that if he were not in the White House, Leo might not have been in the Vatican. The AI-generated image has drawn sharp criticism from several religious organizations, which have objected to the use of sacred religious imagery for political messaging. Critics argue that portraying oneself as Jesus Christ is disrespectful to Christian beliefs. However, Trump’s supporters have defended the post, describing it as a form of digital satire. The dispute is also linked to differing views on the US-Iran conflict. While Pope Leo XIV reportedly described the war as an “illusion of omnipotence,” Trump has characterized it as being aligned with divine will. He also criticized the Pope for condemning US actions in Venezuela and accused him of holding positions that appear lenient toward Iran’s nuclear stance. The controversy has reignited debate over the use of artificial intelligence in political communication and the boundaries of religious sensitivity in public discourse. Adding to the tension, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged people to pray in the name of Jesus Christ for victory in the conflict, further intensifying the ongoing debate.