Donald Trumptriggered anger yesterday by sharing aAIpicture of himself as a divine figure while delivering an exceptional attack on the Pope.
He labeled Pope Leo XIV “weak on”crime‘and terrible for foreign policy’ after he criticized the war withIran.
The U.S. President also stated that the first North American leader of the Catholic Church ‘would not be in the Vatican’ without his influence.
He later angered the broader Christian community by sharing a picture of himself portraying Jesus on his social media site, Truth Social.
Generated through AI, it depicted the President dressed as a robed Christ, appearing to heal a sick individual while encircled by devoted figures such as a nurse and a soldier.
Behind them, deceased American soldiers are depicted rising to heaven in the manner of a Renaissance artwork.
The image, along with Mr. Trump’s conflict with the Pope, was all the more unexpected considering his wife Melania is a devout Catholic.
Last morning, the Pope stated he feels no fear towards the President and will keep teaching according to Christian teachings about the wrongs of war.
Following extensive criticism, including from his own supporters, Mr. Trump took down the image from social media.
Later – during an unexpected press conference while receiving a McDonald’s order at the Oval Office – Mr. Trump stated he was shown as a physician in the image. He informed reporters, ‘It’s meant to be me as a doctor, helping people feel better, and I do help people get better.’
He condemned the media for developing a storyline that portrayed him as resembling Jesus, and stated, “there is nothing to be sorry for.”
The conflict arose following Pope Leo’s statement that God turns away the prayers of leaders who initiate wars and have ‘blood-stained hands’.
He also described the situation in Iran as ‘atrocious’ and urged Mr. Trump to seek an ‘exit strategy’ before characterizing the President’s warning to eliminate Iranian civilization as ‘truly unacceptable’.
Speaking on Truth Social, the President stated: “I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I am doing precisely what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to accomplish.”
Leo ought to feel grateful, as it’s well known that he was a surprising choice… If I hadn’t been in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican. I don’t want a pope who believes it’s acceptable for Iran to possess a nuclear weapon.
He reinforced his stance when asked by journalists, stating: ‘I don’t favor Pope Leo. He is quite progressive and someone who doesn’t believe in preventing crime.’
The Pope stated yesterday that he feels no fear regarding the US administration but does not wish to engage in a discussion with Mr. Trump. Regarding the AI image, he mentioned: ‘I believe the message of the Gospel is not intended to be misused in the manner some individuals are doing.’
The Pope received support from Christians across the globe.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a conservative ally of the White House, stated: ‘I consider President Trump’s remarks about the Holy Father unacceptable. The Pope leads the Catholic Church, and it is appropriate for him to advocate for peace.’ Historian Massimo Faggioli noted: ‘Neither Hitler nor Mussolini directly and openly attacked the Pope.’
In the United States, Bishop Robert Barron from Winona-Rochester in Minnesota stated that the remarks were “inappropriate and disrespectful.”
Even Iran supported the Pope, with President Masoud Pezeshkian posting on X: ‘I condemn the insult to Your Excellency… and state that the disrespect towards Jesus is unacceptable to any free individual.’
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