Trump Faces Backlash from Chicago Catholics Over Pope Criticism and AI Image

The president's feud with Pope Leo XIV intensifies as Chicago Catholics condemn his controversial social media posts.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:22pm

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President Trump has faced intense backlash from Chicago Catholics after criticizing Pope Leo XIV's opposition to the administration's policies on immigration and the war in Iran. The president posted an AI-generated image appearing to depict him as Jesus, further angering Catholic leaders in the city. Cardinal Blase Cupich and other prominent figures have condemned Trump's rhetoric and actions, calling for reconciliation between the White House and the Vatican.

Why it matters

The ongoing clash between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV highlights the growing divide between the Catholic Church and the Republican administration on key moral and political issues. This dispute resonates strongly in Chicago, a city with a large Catholic population, and could have broader implications for the president's relationship with religious voters ahead of the 2028 election.

The details

Following a critical '60 Minutes' segment featuring Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich and other Catholic leaders, President Trump lashed out at Pope Leo XIV, calling him 'WEAK on Crime' and 'terrible for Foreign Policy.' The president later posted an AI-generated image that appeared to depict him as Jesus, further angering Chicago Catholics. Trump initially defended the image, claiming it showed him as a 'doctor,' before deleting the post. Pope Leo, who is visiting Algeria, dismissed the president's criticisms, saying he has 'no fear of the Trump administration' and will continue to speak out on the Gospel's message.

  • On April 13, 2026, the '60 Minutes' segment featuring Cardinal Cupich aired.
  • Minutes after the '60 Minutes' segment, President Trump posted an angry response on Truth Social.
  • Later on April 13, 2026, the president posted the AI-generated image appearing to depict him as Jesus.
  • On April 14, 2026, President Trump defended the image, claiming it showed him as a 'doctor,' before deleting the post.

The players

President Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who has been engaged in an ongoing feud with Pope Leo XIV over the administration's policies on immigration and the war in Iran.

Pope Leo XIV

The current Pope, who has emerged as a moral voice of opposition to the Trump administration's policies and has been critical of the president's rhetoric and actions.

Cardinal Blase Cupich

The Archbishop of Chicago, who was featured in the '60 Minutes' segment criticizing the president's policies and the 'gamification' of the war in Iran.

Christopher Hale

An author who is writing a book about Pope Leo XIV and American politics, and who believes the president will need to find a way to reconcile with the Pope.

Horacio Aguirre

A Chicago Catholic who expressed his disapproval of the president's AI-generated image depicting him as Jesus.

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What they’re saying

“I have no fear of the Trump administration, nor speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am called to do.”

— Pope Leo XIV

“Nobody should compare to Jesus.”

— Horacio Aguirre, Chicago Catholic

“We're dehumanizing the victims of war by turning the suffering of people and the killing of children and our own soldiers into entertainment.”

— Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago

“He's going to be asked at every press gaggle from here ad infinitum, will he apologize to Pope Leo? There's going to have to be some sort of reconciliation of sorts, or he's going to have to say something nice about him, because I don't think the story does go away.”

— Christopher Hale, Author

What’s next

The president will likely face continued questions about his relationship with Pope Leo XIV and whether he will apologize or try to reconcile with the pontiff. The Catholic Church in Chicago and beyond will likely continue to voice their opposition to the administration's policies and rhetoric.

The takeaway

This clash between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV highlights the growing divide between the Republican administration and the Catholic Church on key moral and political issues. The controversy resonates strongly in Chicago, a city with a large Catholic population, and could have broader implications for the president's relationship with religious voters ahead of the 2028 election.