Trump shares new AI image as feud with Pope Leo XIV escalates

President Donald Trump is not backing down from his battle with Pope Leo XIV, resharing an AI-generated image showing him being embraced by Jesus.

The latest post shows Trump with an angelic light and the U.S. flag circling him and the AI Jesus. It follows another AI-generated image that he posted to Truth Social earlier in the week and later took down. That version depicted the president in red and white robes holding a light in one hand and blessing a sick man with the other.

The initial post evoked imagery of Jesus healing the sick and sparked backlash from some of Trump's political party. The president denied that it depicted him as Jesus.

"I thought it was me as a doctor. And it had to do with Red Cross," Trump told reporters at the White House on April 13. "And only the fake news could come up with that one ... I make people a lot better."

For his latest post, Trump appeared to swipe at the controversy.

"The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!! President DJT," Trump wrote in the April 15 post, which had its own caption reading: "I was never a very religious man .. but doesn't it seem, with all these satanic, demonic, child sacrificing monsters being exposed ... that God might be playing his Trump card!"

Trump and Vance double down on pope criticism

The first image of Trump "healing" someone was posted shortly after he issued a lengthy criticism of Pope Leo XIV. The pontiff has directly criticized the war in Iran as well as Trump's harsh language in the conflict, such as the president's threat that "a whole civilization will die tonight."

Trump called the pope "WEAK on Crime," and took credit for Leo's selection to the papacy in an April 12 Truth Social post.

His Holiness responded to the post on April 13 while talking to reporters, saying, "I have no fear with neither the Trump administration, nor speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel."

Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, also said the pope should be careful.

"I think it's very, very important for the pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology," Vance said at a Turning Point USA rally on April 14. "I like that the pope is an advocate for peace. I think that’s certainly one of his roles. On the other hand, how do you say that God is never on the side of those who wield the sword?"

Trump again pushed back at the pope in an April 14 Truth Social post.

"Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a nuclear bomb is absolutely unacceptable," Trump said.

The public jabs from the president have also angered some Catholics, the single largest religious denomination in the United States, according to Pew Research Center.

Pope pushes on praying for peace amid war

Meanwhile, the pontiff continues to pray for peace amid warfare, without naming names, including during his visit to Algeria, where he arrived April 13.

Pope Leo XIV said in a social media post on April 14 that "wars, violence, injustice, and lies" tear apart God’s heart.

"But our Father’s heart is not with the wicked, the arrogant, or the proud. God’s heart is with the little ones and the humble, and with them He builds up His Kingdom of love and peace day by day," the pope said. "Wherever there is love and service, God is there."

He reiterated his message in another lengthy social media post on April 15, calling for an end to war.

"Let us reject the logic of violence and war, and embrace peace founded on love and justice — an unarmed peace, not based on fear, threats, or weapons. This peace is disarming, because it is capable of resolving conflicts, opening hearts, and generating trust, empathy, and hope," the pontiff said. "I strongly reiterate: The world thirsts for #Peace! Enough of war and all the pain it causes through death, destruction, and exile!"

Contributing: Phillip M. Bailey, Zac Anderson, and Bart Jansen, USA TODAY

Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her onX (Twitter),Threads,Bluesky, andTikTok.

Terry Collins is a National Correspondent at USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]; Follow him at X (Twitter) and Bluesky.