Donald Trump has launched a sharp attack on Pope Leo XIV, branding the pontiff “weak” and accusing him of meddling in politics, while also sharing a controversial AI-generated image portraying himself as Jesus healing the sick.

The late-night post, published on Truth Social, came shortly after Pope Leo XIV criticized Trump’s comments about the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. The pope had described Trump’s warning that “an entire civilisation will die tonight” as unacceptable, cautioning that a “delusion of omnipotence” appeared to be driving the conflict.

In response, Trump delivered a strongly worded message, accusing the pope of showing weakness on crime and failing in foreign policy matters. He also suggested that religious leaders should avoid criticizing the President of the United States.

“I don’t want a Pope who criticises the President of the United States,” Trump wrote, while also revisiting grievances from the COVID-19 era, claiming that churches and religious leaders were unfairly restricted during the pandemic.

The former president further stirred controversy by claiming his political influence played a role in Pope Leo XIV’s selection in May 2025. According to Trump, the Catholic Church chose an American pope partly to navigate relations with his administration.

“Leo should be thankful,” Trump wrote, insisting that the pope’s emergence had been unexpected and tied to U.S. politics. He added that without his presence in the White House, Leo XIV would not have been elected to lead the Catholic Church.

Trump went on to urge the pontiff to “get his act together,” accusing him of aligning with left-leaning political views and encouraging him to focus on religious leadership rather than political commentary.

Shortly after the remarks, Trump posted a controversial AI-generated image portraying himself dressed as Jesus, healing a crowd of sick individuals. The image featured patriotic symbols including eagles, fighter jets, and the Statue of Liberty, drawing immediate reactions across social media.

The unusual post quickly sparked widespread debate, with critics describing it as inappropriate and provocative, while supporters defended it as satire and political expression.

The clash marks a growing tension between Trump and Pope Leo XIV, highlighting deepening divisions over foreign policy, religion, and political influence on the global stage.