US President Donald Trump has intensified his confrontation with the Catholic Church, first targeting Pope Leo XIV in a series of remarks and then sharing an AI-generated image portraying himself performing a biblical-style miracle.
The development marks a fresh spike in tensions between Washington and the Vatican, with Trump’s criticism of the Pope’s views on global conflicts, including Iran, now spilling into provocative imagery and public rhetoric.
AI image adds dramatic twist to Trump’s criticism
Shortly after criticising the Pope, Trump posted a digitally created image showing himself in flowing robes, placing his hand on an ailing man. The scene appeared to draw from the biblical account of Jesus raising Lazarus, and was framed with symbolic elements such as the American flag, military aircraft and angelic figures.
The post followed his direct attack on Pope Leo, whom he accused of being “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy”.
Trump links Pope’s appointment to his presidency
In a long post on Truth Social, Trump went further, claiming that the Pope’s elevation to the Vatican was tied to his own election as US President after the death of Pope Francis.
“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy. He talks about “fear” of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian Organizations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services, even when going outside, and being ten and even twenty feet apart. I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t! 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 and, even worse, emptying their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our Country. 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,” the post read.
“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, nor does the fact that he meets with Obama Sympathizers like David Axelrod, a LOSER from the Left, who is one of those who wanted churchgoers and clerics to be arrested,” it added.
Clash over Iran, war and global policy
Trump’s remarks came after Pope Leo criticised Washington’s approach to global conflicts, particularly tensions involving Iran, where the pontiff called for dialogue and restraint.
Responding to those concerns, Trump accused the Pope of being lenient on issues such as nuclear weapons and US military actions abroad, while defending his own policies as part of a strong law-and-order and assertive foreign policy mandate.
“Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church,” the post added.
Trump doubles down in public remarks
Speaking later to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump sharpened his criticism further.
“I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime, I guess. We don’t like a pope who says it’s ok to have a nuclear weapon. We don’t want a pope who says crime is ok. I am not a fan of Pope Leo.”
Vatican stance: call for ceasefire and humanitarian focus
The Pope, the first American-born head of the Catholic Church, has repeatedly urged peace and humanitarian considerations in global conflicts. In a recent post on X, he expressed concern over military actions in Lebanon and appealed for an immediate ceasefire.
“In these days of sorrow, fear, and unwavering hope in God, I feel closer than ever to the beloved people of Lebanon. The principle of humanity, inscribed in the conscience of every person and recognized in international law, entails a moral obligation to protect the civilian population from the horrific effects of war. I call on the parties in the conflict to declare a ceasefire and urgently seek a peaceful solution,” the post read.
The latest exchange underscores a widening divide between the White House and the Vatican on issues ranging from war and diplomacy to domestic policy and global security.