Trump escalates feud with Pope Leo, posts Christ-like image of himself amid clash over Iran War
(Trump slammed Pope Leo for being “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy”)
(April 13. 2026) A growing and highly unusual public feud between Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV intensified over the weekend, as Trump sharply criticized the Catholic leader’s stance on the Iran war and posted an AI-generated image of himself depicted as a Christ-like figure on Truth Social.
Trump posted his god-like image without any background narrative to support it; but many of his Truth Social followers’ comments suggested the image was blasphemous and the president should take it down.
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The conflict between the two stems from escalating tensions over the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, where Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly called for peace, warning against what he described as a “delusion of omnipotence” driving global violence. The pope also condemned rhetoric suggesting mass destruction—remarks widely interpreted as a response to Trump’s earlier warning that “an entire civilization will die tonight” prior to a ceasefire agreement.
Trump fired back Sunday night in a lengthy social media post and remarks to reporters, calling the pope “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” and stating bluntly, “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo.” He accused the pontiff of being overly political, claiming Leo “should get his act together… stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician.”
The president also suggested, without evidence, that Leo’s historic selection as the first U.S.-born pope in 2025 was influenced by his own presidency, writing, “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”
Trump’s criticism extended beyond Iran, referencing the pope’s past concerns about U.S. foreign policy in Venezuela and pandemic-era restrictions on religious gatherings. He also argued that he was elected “to do exactly what I’m doing,” defending his leadership and policy decisions.
Shortly after his remarks, Trump posted a striking AI-generated image portraying himself in a biblical-style robe, bathed in golden light, placing a glowing hand on a bedridden man as if performing a healing miracle. The scene includes a nurse, a praying woman, and onlookers watching in awe, with American flags, bald eagles, and military imagery filling the background sky—blending religious symbolism with patriotic and militaristic themes.
The image drew swift and mixed reactions, with critics calling it inappropriate and supporters viewing it as symbolic or provocative political messaging.
Pope Leo responded to the criticism while traveling to Africa, emphasizing that his message is rooted in the Gospel and not politics. “I have no fear of the Trump administration,” he said, adding that the Church’s mission is to promote peace and reconciliation. “Blessed are the peacemakers,” he reiterated, stressing that his comments were not personal attacks but moral guidance.
The pope has also rejected the use of religion to justify war, stating, “Jesus is the king of peace… He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.”
Religious leaders in the United States weighed in as well. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he was “disheartened” by Trump’s remarks, emphasizing that “the Pope is not a politician” but “the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel.”
Vatican officials also defended Leo, with Father Antonio Spadaro describing the pope as “a moral voice” whose message challenges political power. He suggested Trump’s attacks reflect discomfort with that influence, saying the pope’s words “cut deep.”
At the same time, some political and religious voices aligned with Trump have framed the conflict differently, particularly among conservative circles that support the administration’s foreign policy and its framing of the Iran conflict in moral or religious terms. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly encouraged prayer for victory “in the name of Jesus Christ,” while Trump himself is on record as saying he believes God supports the war effort.
The clash underscores a rare and increasingly personal divide between a sitting U.S. president and the head of the Catholic Church—two global figures whose disagreements over war, morality, and leadership are now playing out both on the world stage and across social media. For more on the war of words between Trump and the Pope, see the video below.
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(Sources: CNN, NPR, The Associated Press, Truth Social)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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