Tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and the spiritual leader of the Catholic world, Pope Leo, which began over the Iran war, have escalated to a new level with harsh mutual statements. Trump accused the Pope of being “bad at foreign policy” and also shared an AI-generated image on social media portraying himself as Jesus Christ.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump targeted the Pope—who had said “God does not bless any conflict”—and accused him of being “weak on crime” and “bad at foreign policy.” Speaking to journalists afterward, Trump also stated that he was “not a fan” of him. The U.S. President’s remarks came after the Pope’s strong criticism of war rhetoric directed at Iran.
Pope Leo had particularly described Trump’s threat that “a civilization could be destroyed” regarding Iran as “completely unacceptable” and called for a “way out” to reduce tensions in the Middle East. It is considered rare for the Vatican leader to directly target the statements of a world leader.
Trump responded harshly to the Pope’s remarks, claiming that he demonstrated a “weak” stance on nuclear weapons. The U.S. administration, citing Iran’s nuclear program, argues that this threat is critical to global security. Trump also made a controversial claim regarding the Pope’s election, suggesting that he was chosen “because he is American” and that this was somehow linked to his own presidency.
Trump shares image portraying himself as Jesus Christ
The tension was not limited to verbal statements. Shortly after criticizing the Pope, Trump shared a striking AI-generated image on social media.
In the image, Trump is depicted as a Jesus-like figure healing a sick person. The background includes the American flag, the Statue of Liberty, fighter jets, and soldiers, sparking widespread controversy in a short time.
Some users described the post as “bizarre” and “disrespectful,” while some supporters interpreted it as a symbolic message. The image also features people praying, figures resembling security forces, and “angel-like” depictions of soldiers.
Trump’s post came approximately 40 minutes after his harsh remarks about the Pope. In a subsequent statement, the U.S. President reiterated his criticism, describing the Pope as “liberal” and arguing that he was not sufficiently firm in combating crime. He also claimed that there was not a strong enough stance against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
“God does not bless any conflict”
Pope Leo, in his recent statements regarding the Iran war, has maintained his anti-war stance, saying, “God does not bless any conflict.” He had also previously described U.S. immigration policies as “inhumane.”
Experts note that the tension between Trump and the Vatican is not merely a personal dispute, but also reflects deep differences over global issues such as war, nuclear weapons, and migration.
It is also assessed that the escalating war of words, particularly over the Iran crisis, could have implications for diplomatic relations in the coming period.