United States President Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy following the circulation of an AI-generated image that appeared to depict him as Jesus Christ, drawing widespread criticism from sections of his supporters and members of the Catholic community.
The development comes amid a strongly worded and unusually personal attack by the president on Pope Leo XIV, whom he accused of poor leadership on issues relating to crime, global security, and politics. In a lengthy post shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump alleged that the Pope had undermined both American interests and the global standing of the Catholic Church.
In one of the most controversial aspects of his remarks, Trump questioned the legitimacy of Pope Leo’s emergence as pontiff, suggesting that political considerations influenced his selection. He claimed that the Pope’s appointment was strategically motivated due to his American background and implied that it was linked to his own political influence.
The remarks have drawn significant backlash, with critics arguing that they represent an inappropriate conflation of political rhetoric and religious authority. Concerns have also been raised about the use of religious imagery in a manner that could be perceived as offensive or disrespectful.
Responding to the criticism, Pope Leo XIV adopted a restrained approach, declining to engage in political confrontation. Speaking to reporters, he emphasised that his role is not political but spiritual, stating that his mission is to promote peace and uphold the teachings of the Gospel.
He further cautioned against the misuse of religion in political discourse, reiterating that the Church’s message remains centred on peace, compassion, and dialogue.