US President Donald Trump has stirred fresh controversy after sharing an AI-generated image portraying himself as Jesus Christ, intensifying an already strained relationship with Pope Leo XIV.

The image, posted on his Truth platform on Sunday, depicts Trump in flowing robes, bathed in radiant light, with his hands outstretched in a pose suggestive of healing.

Surrounding him are figures resembling angels or armed personnel suspended mid-air, while fighter jets cut across the sky and fireworks burst overhead.

The Statue of Liberty appears prominently in the background, reinforcing a blend of religious symbolism and American nationalism.

The post came shortly after Trump launched a series of criticisms against the pope, accusing him of weakness on key global issues.

In his remarks, Trump described Pope Leo as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” arguing that the pontiff had unfairly criticised his administration while overlooking actions taken against religious gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also took issue with the pope’s stance on nuclear weapons and international conflicts, particularly comments suggesting restraint and dialogue in dealing with global tensions.

“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, while defending US foreign policy decisions and military actions.

The US leader further alleged that Pope Leo’s emergence in 2025 as the first American pontiff was influenced by political considerations, claiming the Catholic Church backed him to manage relations with his presidency.

“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump said, adding that the pope’s positions on crime, security and global conflicts were out of step with his administration.

Speaking later to journalists, Trump said he was “not a fan” of the pope, describing him as “very liberal” and questioning his leadership approach.

The pope’s comments that triggered the latest exchange were made during prayers at St Peter’s Basilica, where he warned against escalating violence across the world and criticised what he called a growing “delusion of omnipotence” among global powers.

“Enough of the idolatry of self and money… Enough of war,” Pope Leo said, urging leaders to prioritise peace, restraint and dialogue.

In earlier remarks posted on X, the pontiff also condemned ongoing conflicts involving the US, Israel and Iran, insisting that “God does not bless any conflict” and cautioning against invoking religion to justify violence.

Beyond geopolitical disagreements, the rift between both figures has been shaped by wider policy differences, including migration. Pope Leo has repeatedly criticised mass deportations and immigration raids in the United States, describing such actions as inhumane and contrary to human dignity.

He also declined participation in a US-backed peace initiative for Gaza and cancelled a planned visit to the United States, opting instead to meet with migrants — moves seen as subtle but pointed signals of disagreement with Washington.

Tensions between Trump and the Vatican first surfaced shortly after the pope’s election in 2025. While Trump initially described the development as a “great honour” for the United States, relations deteriorated amid policy clashes and increasingly pointed public statements.

Saturday’s AI-generated image is the latest in a pattern of provocative posts by the US president.

In 2025, Trump had similarly shared an AI-generated image of himself dressed as a pope, a post that drew widespread criticism after it was reshared by official government channels.