President removes post following criticism while continuing public dispute with Pope Leo XIV over foreign policy and leadership issues.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump on Monday removed a social media image portraying himself in a scene resembling a biblical healing, following widespread criticism from both opponents and supporters.
The image, which had been uploaded without caption to his account on Truth Social, showed Trump wearing robes similar to traditional depictions of Jesus Christ while placing his hand on a bedridden individual. It was not immediately clear whether the image had been generated using artificial intelligence.
The post drew backlash across social media, with some users—including supporters—calling for its removal. Critics said the image appeared to portray him as Christ, prompting further reaction online.
Trump deleted the image on Monday, but other posts criticizing Pope Leo XIV remain active. In one such statement, the president wrote, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” adding that he also opposed criticism of U.S. actions abroad. “I don’t 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…” he said in a post.
Trump also asserted, “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”
The image was posted shortly after a series of remarks in which Trump criticized the pope’s positions on crime and foreign policy. In an earlier statement, the president said, “Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” while referencing disputes over pandemic-era restrictions on religious gatherings.
Trump further criticized the pontiff for meeting with David Axelrod, a former adviser to Barack Obama.
Responding to the broader situation, Pope Leo said he did not view the exchange as a direct conflict. “I will not enter into debate. The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone. The message of the Gospel is very clear: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’” he told reporters while traveling to Algeria.
“I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel and inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, and looking for ways to avoid war any time that’s possible,” the pope added.
The developments come amid increased scrutiny of interactions between the U.S. administration and the Vatican. The Vatican recently issued a public statement addressing reports of a contentious meeting between U.S. officials and a Catholic representative, though both sides described the discussion as “substantive, respectful, and professional.”
No additional details have been released regarding the origin or intent of the deleted image.
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