A Texas Catholic bishop has demanded President Donald Trump apologize after the president posted and later deleted an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ healing the sick. The controversy erupted following Trump’s harsh criticism of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope in Catholic Church history, over the pontiff’s vocal opposition to military action against Iran.
Clash Over Iran War Opposition
Bishop Michael Olson of Fort Worth issued a sharp rebuke Monday after Trump attacked Pope Leo XIV on social media for opposing the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, currently under a fragile ceasefire. Trump called the pope “weak on crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy” after Leo repeatedly urged peace and warned that threats to “destroy the entire civilization of Iran” were “truly unacceptable.” The pope encouraged Catholics to contact representatives and demand they work for peace rather than war.
Controversial Image Sparks Outrage
Trump posted the AI-generated image early Monday showing himself in Christ-like imagery healing a person. After widespread backlash from Catholics and conservative Christians, Trump deleted the post and claimed he thought the image depicted him as a doctor, according to Associated Press reporting. Bishop Olson called the image “highly insulting and blasphemous,” rejecting Trump’s explanation. The bishop demanded Trump explain how he will hold staff accountable for creating such an image.
Pope Defends Peace Message
Pope Leo XIV responded to Trump’s criticism by saying he is “not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel.” Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed being “disheartened” by Trump’s remarks, emphasizing that the pope “is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician.” Trump said Monday he would not apologize, arguing the pope “would not be happy with the end result” of allowing a nuclear Iran.
What This Means
The confrontation highlights deepening tensions between religious leaders and the Trump administration over foreign policy. Bishop Olson stressed that Pope Leo XIV challenges the principle that war’s ends justify its means, while noting the pope has condemned violence perpetrated by Iran’s government. The controversy reflects broader concerns among faith leaders about escalating Middle East conflict and the appropriate role of religious voices in opposing military action.
For cripes sakes, u both need to grow up, and quit acting, like grade schoolers. Do your jobs, and leave the other, do his job. If I was boss, I would fire both your arses. It’s like watching cartoons, all day long, u both bashing each other, with world watching, and wondering WTH is with these two.
This administration is horrible. Leave the poor pope alone. He only practices and preach love.
You are naive! what do you mean love your enemy that is bent on making a nuclear bomb to be used on us they call infidels?
He should stay out of politics!
AGREED
To say God does not hear the prayers of those who make war was a foolish statement by the pope. Tell that to all the vets who fought during the past wars. I believe God hears the prayers of the righteous.
I guess he schould be aware what evil is happening in Iran
nobel prize and the pope can be bunch together in terms of integrity!
very sad that the pope and the novel prize fall in the same category in terms of integrity!
The pope must have forgotten about the crusades. They were wars. Nobody likes war but sometimes they are justified.
The Pope started the debacle and is to blame for the nonsense. He said nothing about the massacre of 45,000
freedom seeking people. Send the Pope back to Chicago and bring back Pope Benedict. Amen!