Washington, D.C., April 13 (ANI): U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of the Catholic Church and the Holy See by posting an AI-generated image portraying himself in a biblical scene, shortly after launching a sharp attack on Pope Leo XIV.
The digitally created image depicts Trump in flowing robes, placing his hand on a sick man, in a scene resembling the biblical miracle in which Jesus is said to have raised Lazarus from the dead. The image also features symbolic elements such as the American flag, military aircraft, and angelic figures in the background.
The post followed Trump’s recent criticism of Pope Leo XIV, whom he described as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” while also suggesting that the pontiff’s appointment was influenced by political considerations.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that had he not been elected president, Pope Leo would not have been chosen to succeed Pope Francis.
His remarks came after Pope Leo XIV criticized Washington’s approach to global conflicts, including tensions involving Iran, and called for peace and dialogue.
Trump defended his administration’s policies, arguing that he was elected “in a landslide” to enforce strong law-and-order measures and pursue an assertive foreign policy.
“Pope Leo is weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy,” Trump wrote, reiterating his opposition to the pontiff’s stance on issues such as Iran’s nuclear ambitions and U.S. military actions abroad.
He also criticized the Pope for engaging with political figures he described as left-leaning and urged him to “focus on being a great Pope, not a politician.”
Speaking later to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump intensified his criticism, saying he was “not a fan” of Pope Leo and questioning his leadership.
The developments mark a further escalation in tensions between the two figures. Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, has repeatedly expressed concern over U.S. policies and military interventions, calling for diplomacy and humanitarian considerations. (ANI)
About The Author
