President Donald Trump sparked a firestorm within his own base this week after launching a social media broadside against Pope Leo XIV and sharing a controversial image that depicted himself in a Christ-like role.
The digital dust-up, which began late Sunday night, has drawn sharp rebukes from high-profile conservative activists, religious leaders, and media figures who traditionally support the administration.
The tension started at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday when Trump posted a 334-word message to Truth Social. In the post, he labeled the first U.S.-born pontiff “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.” Trump specifically took aim at the Vatican’s stance on recent military actions, writing, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela.”
He further argued that while the Pope speaks of “fear” regarding the current administration, the pontiff failed to mention the “FEAR” Christian organizations felt during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Trump insisted he was doing exactly what he was elected to do “IN A LANDSLIDE” regarding crime and the economy.
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The backlash intensified 45 minutes later when the President shared an image—widely believed to be AI-generated—showing him in a robe with a beam of light emanating from his hand as he touched a sick man’s head. The backdrop featured a large American flag, two bald eagles, and the Statue of Liberty.
Conservative reactions were swift and unusually blunt.
Women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines questioned the President’s intent on X, stating, “Is he looking for a response? Does he actually think this?” She added that “God shall not be mocked.” Youth activist Brilyn Hollyhand was equally critical, calling the image “gross blasphemy” and noting that “faith is not a prop.”
Longtime and former allies expressed dismay. Former Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene denounced the posts, noting they coincided with Orthodox Easter.
“President Trump attacked the Pope because the Pope is rightly against Trump’s war in Iran and then he posted this picture of himself as if he is replacing Jesus,” she wrote. British activist Milo Yiannopoulos urged followers to “pray for his soul,” while Daily Wire host Michael Knowles suggested it would behoove the President “spiritually and politically to delete the picture.”
The religious community also weighed in. Bishop Robert Barron, a prominent Catholic theologian, called the comments “entirely inappropriate and disrespectful.” While Barron acknowledged the administration’s past work on religious liberty, he was firm in his conclusion: “I think the President owes the Pope an apology.”
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Barron suggested that Catholic members of the cabinet, such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, should engage in formal dialogue with the Vatican to repair the rift.
Pope Leo XIV addressed the situation briefly while speaking to reporters on Monday. “I have no fear of the Trump administration,” the Pope said, declining to enter a formal debate. “The message of the Gospel is very clear: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel and inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges.”
By Monday morning, the controversial posts appeared to have been removed from the President’s Truth Social account following the widespread criticism.
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