Manny Ita –
US President Donald Trump has publicly criticised Pope Leo XIV in a series of posts on Truth Social, describing him as “weak” on crime and “terrible” on foreign policy. The remarks were part of a late-night online statement that also included an AI-generated image of himself depicted in a religious scene.
According to the posts, Trump also responded to recent comments made by Pope Leo XIV regarding global conflicts, particularly tensions involving Iran and the United States. The Pope had previously described rhetoric suggesting the “destruction of civilisation” as unacceptable and called for dialogue and peace.
In his response, Trump accused the Pope of being politically biased and suggested that he was not handling global issues appropriately. He also made comments comparing the Pope to his brother, saying he preferred him.
Pope Leo XIV, in response to questions from reporters, reiterated that he would continue speaking in favour of peace and dialogue. He stated that he had no intention of engaging in a political dispute and emphasised the Church’s role in promoting non-violence and international cooperation.
The US President later escalated the situation by posting an AI-generated image showing himself in a Jesus-like figure healing a patient surrounded by medical staff and symbolic national imagery, including the US flag and military aircraft.
The post drew criticism from several public figures, including former Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene, who condemned the image and urged against what she described as inappropriate religious symbolism. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also issued a response expressing concern over the tone of Trump’s comments toward the Pope, stressing that the Pope should not be treated as a political opponent.
The controversy has sparked wider debate online and among religious commentators about the blending of political messaging, religious imagery, and the increasing use of AI-generated content in political communication.
