United States President Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy after sharing an AI-generated image depicting himself in a Christ-like form, appearing to “heal” the sick, on his platform Truth Social.
The post comes amid an escalating war of words with Pope Leo XIV, whom Trump described as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” in a separate, lengthy message.
The exchange follows recent tensions between the two over immigration and the ongoing conflict in Iran, with the Pope urging restraint and peace in public remarks.
In his post, Trump accused the pontiff of aligning with the “Radical Left” and criticised his positions on nuclear policy and US interventions, including Venezuela. He also questioned the circumstances of the Pope’s elevation, claiming it was politically motivated and linked to his own presidency.
“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump wrote, adding that the Pope “became Pope just because he is American.”
“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.”
He also took a personal swipe, saying he preferred the Pope’s brother, whom he described as supportive of his “MAGA” movement.
The Vatican has not officially responded to the latest remarks.
The exchange marks a rare and direct public confrontation between a sitting US president and the papacy, highlighting deep divisions over war, migration, and the role of religion in politics.