Donald Trump portrays himself as ‘Jesus Christ’, calls Pope Leo ‘soft on crime’ and ‘a flop’

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): Amid rising tensions following failed talks with Iran in Pakistan, Donald Trump launched a sharp attack on Pope Leo XIV after the latter criticized his policies.

In a long post on Truth Social, Trump accused the Pope of being weak on crime and ineffective in foreign policy. He also criticized the Pope’s views on global issues, including Iran and US domestic matters, further escalating tensions between the White House and the Vatican.

Trump wrote that the Pope focuses on criticizing his administration while ignoring challenges faced by churches during the COVID-19 pandemic, including restrictions on religious gatherings. He stated that he does not want a Pope who supports what he described as a “soft stance” on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Adding to the controversy, Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself portraying a figure resembling Jesus Christ, performing a miracle by healing a sick person. The image included symbolic elements like the American flag, military planes, and angels, drawing parallels to biblical narratives.

He also defended US foreign actions, including in Venezuela, linking them to concerns over drugs and crime in America. Trump further made personal remarks, comparing Pope Leo to his brother and suggesting the latter aligns more with his “Make America Great Again” ideology.

Highlighting his own presidency, Trump cited electoral victory, reduced crime rates, and economic performance as justification for his policies. In a surprising claim, he also suggested that Pope Leo’s rise was indirectly linked to his presidency.

The exchange reflects growing differences between Trump and the Vatican on issues such as war, diplomacy, immigration, and global conflicts. Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born Pope, has recently called for restraint and dialogue in international disputes, including tensions involving Iran.