Former President Donald Trump recently stirred controversy by sharing a now-deleted image on social media that portrayed him in a Jesus-like manner. He later claimed that the image was intended to represent him as a doctor.
This incident intensified frustration among various religious communities, including some of Trump’s own supporters, particularly after he insulted Pope Leo online in a prior post.
Pope Leo responded by stating that he is “not afraid of the Trump administration” and will continue to vocalize his opposition to war.
The social media post, which was shared on Truth Social, followed Trump’s earlier criticism of Pope Leo for his stance against military action in Iran. In that post, Trump described the pope as “WEAK on Crime” and criticized his foreign policy.
In the contentious image, Trump is depicted in white robes, touching the forehead of a hospitalized patient. After deleting the post, he explained, “I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor, and it had to do with Red Cross, as a Red Cross worker there, which we support.”
This series of posts prompted calls for Trump to apologize from several Christian leaders. Minnesota Bishop Robert Barron, who serves on Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, expressed that the remarks about the pope were “entirely inappropriate and disrespectful,” stating, “I think the president owes the pope an apology.”
Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed disappointment regarding Trump’s disparaging comments about the Holy Father. He noted, “Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls.”
In response to the backlash, Trump asserted that he would not apologize, claiming, “Pope Leo said things that are wrong,” and reiterated his critical view of the pope’s stance on Iran.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a significant ally of Trump, defended the pope, stating, “I find President Trump’s words towards the Holy Father unacceptable. The pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal for him to call for peace and condemn every form of war.”
Brilyn Hollyhand, a conservative commentator, described the image as “gross blasphemy,” emphasizing that faith should not be exploited for personal gain. Pastor Doug Wilson praised the swift condemnation from conservative Christians against the blasphemous portrayal of Jesus and Trump.
Pope Leo has criticized US military actions in Iran and has previously voiced concerns regarding the Trump administration’s immigration policies and its efforts to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. While traveling in Africa, he reassured reporters that his messages are not intended as personal attacks, emphasizing the Church’s commitment to the gospel’s message of peace.
The provocative nature of Trump’s social media activity has been a hallmark of his political career. Recently, some of his posts have faced backlash not only from opponents but also from within his own party. Last week, he threatened Iran with severe consequences, stating, “A whole civilization will die tonight.” This statement was met with criticism from various Republicans and media personalities.
Trump’s recent online behavior has included inflammatory messages, including a profanity-laden threat directed at Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz. In February, he also faced backlash for a post depicting the Obamas in a racist manner, which was initially dismissed by the White House but later removed and attributed to a staff error.
