Trump publicly attacked the Pope. However, a large part of politicians and the public defended the head of the Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIV expressed regret that many have interpreted his recent speeches as a response to criticism from American President Donald Trump. This happened after the White House chief verbally attacked the current icon of the Catholic Church on social media and in public. What is behind the controversy between these two figures, who are watched daily by billions of people around the world?
After Lev XIV became the first pope in the history of the Catholic Church who was born in the territory of the United States, some analysts pointed out that his American passport could be more of a burden. The Catholic Church has long been hesitant to elect a citizen of a country that is a major international power as its leader.
This became particularly evident in recent weeks when the pope, during a visit to the Cameroonian city of Bamenda, sharply criticized world leaders who, according to him, spend billions of dollars on wars instead of helping those in need. He added that the world is ravaged by a handful of tyrants.
Later, he added that he realizes it might have been perceived as if he was trying to debate with the president again, even though it is reportedly not in his interest at all, as pointed out by the television CNN.
Trump's Counteroffensive
The pope's words came at a time when American President Donald Trump verbally attacked the pope on social media. He sent a message to the Vatican claiming that Leo XIV should be grateful for his election, and stated that the head of the Catholic Church is "weak on crime and terrible in foreign policy."
Shortly after posting, he additionally shared on his social network an image with a religious theme, depicting the Republican president healing the sick, similar to Jesus Christ.
In the image, Trump was dressed in a white robe with a red cloak. In one hand he held a light, and with the other he was laying it on the forehead of the sick person. A nurse, a praying woman, a man wearing a hat similar to those from Trump's election campaign, and a soldier in uniform were looking up at the president. In the background, there is the American flag, American landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, bald eagles which are a national symbol of the United States, as well as military aircraft and fireworks.
The Public and Politicians Outraged
The post sparked outrage across the political spectrum, including from many conservatives who called it a disgrace.
According to the Pew Research Center, there are around 50 million adult Catholics living in the United States alone, roughly a fifth of the country's total population. This is a key voting bloc that has often voted Republican in recent decades, political scientist Ryan Burge told CNN. Common Republican policies, such as restrictions on abortion and opposition to same-sex marriage, are now at odds with what Donald Trump proclaims when he disparages the Pope online and in the media.
The president's conflict with the pope will not help gain Catholic voters in the medium term, further reminded Burge, noting that Lev XIV is extremely popular: Americans perceive him most favorably among 14 international public figures assessed by the Gallup Institute in 2025.
On the other hand, the American president faces declining popularity ratings, with his approval rating on the economy dropping to a new career low of 31 percent at the start of this month, according to a CNN survey.
Italian Prime Minister Meloni also expressed support for the Pope and called Trump's statements unacceptable.
"The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal for him to call for peace and condemn all forms of war,"
as reported by ČTK.
Empires come and go
"The latest incident reminds me of former British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, who stated that among the three institutions no sensible person should attack is the Vatican,"
quoted the magazine America correspondent Gerard O’Connell in connection with the television CNN. He further added that the Holy See will look at the current clash between two personalities with historical perspective, knowing that empires rise and fall.
This is not the first time the American president has been depicted by artificial intelligence in connection with religious themes. Last May, after the death of Pope Francis, who passed away in April 2025, the president shared an image on his social media depicting himself as the pope. After the results of the conclave were announced, he stated that the cardinals chose an American as the pope because they believed he would get along better with Trump.
"If I weren't in the White House, the Lion wouldn't be in the Vatican,"
Trump stated somewhat immodestly at the time.
Sources: original article, CNN, ČTK, iDnes.cz
