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ANIUS President Donald Trump on Sunday, April 12 harshly criticized Pope Leo XIV over the US-born pontiff’s remarks on Washington’s war in Iran before posting an AI-generated image portraying himself as Jesus performing a miracle reminiscent of biblical imagery.
The criticism came after Leo, the first US-born pope from Chicago, condemned the war effort and warned against Trump’s several escalating remarks. In response, Trump said he does not “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,” in a Truth Social post.
Trump also suggested that Leo’s elevation to the papacy was tied to his return to the White House. “Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise,” Trump said. “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.”
He further criticized the pontiff, saying Leo is “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,” referring to a recent meeting between the pope and former aide to Barack Obama.
Shortly after criticizing the Pope, Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself performing what appeared to be healing people.
The digitally created image showed Trump in flowing robes, placing his hand on a sick man. The scene included patriotic and symbolic elements such as the American flag, military aircraft, and what appeared to be angelic figures in the background.
Leo had earlier condemned the conflict and called for restraint. “Enough with the idolatry of self and money! Enough with the display of force! Enough with war! True strength is manifested in serving life,” Leo said on Saturday, according to CBS News. The pontiff also described it as “truly unacceptable” for Trump to make a recent threat that he would destroy “an entire civilization” in Iran.
The criticism came after Leo, the first US-born pope from Chicago, condemned the war effort and warned against Trump’s several escalating remarks. In response, Trump said he does not “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,” in a Truth Social post.
Trump links papal rise to his presidency
Trump also suggested that Leo’s elevation to the papacy was tied to his return to the White House. “Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise,” Trump said. “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.”
He further criticized the pontiff, saying Leo is “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,” referring to a recent meeting between the pope and former aide to Barack Obama.
Trump as Jesus
Shortly after criticizing the Pope, Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself performing what appeared to be healing people.
The digitally created image showed Trump in flowing robes, placing his hand on a sick man. The scene included patriotic and symbolic elements such as the American flag, military aircraft, and what appeared to be angelic figures in the background.
Leo had earlier condemned the conflict and called for restraint. “Enough with the idolatry of self and money! Enough with the display of force! Enough with war! True strength is manifested in serving life,” Leo said on Saturday, according to CBS News. The pontiff also described it as “truly unacceptable” for Trump to make a recent threat that he would destroy “an entire civilization” in Iran.
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