Trump Faces Backlash for Attacking Pope, Posting AI Image

Local Catholic leaders condemn the former president's controversial online behavior.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:47pm

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An abstract, fragmented painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and waves of deep red, royal blue, and metallic gold tones, conceptually representing the divisive and controversial nature of Trump's behavior towards the Catholic Church.Trump's provocative religious imagery and attacks on the Pope have sparked outrage and concern within the Catholic community.Chicago Today

Former President Donald Trump is facing growing backlash in Chicago and across the country after he publicly attacked Pope Leo XIV and posted an AI-generated image of himself depicted as Jesus Christ. The provocative online behavior has been condemned by local Catholic leaders who warn Trump is "waking up a sleeping giant" within the faith community.

Why it matters

Trump's attacks on the Pope and self-aggrandizing religious imagery are seen as a dangerous escalation of his divisive political rhetoric, which critics argue is damaging to America's standing on the global stage and its relationship with key international allies like the Vatican.

The details

In a series of inflammatory social media posts, the former president accused Pope Leo XIV of being "weak" on issues like immigration and climate change, and shared a digitally-altered image that portrayed Trump's face superimposed on a religious figure. Local Catholic leaders have condemned the behavior as "sacrilegious" and an affront to the faith.

  • The controversial posts were made by Trump on April 12, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who is known for his divisive rhetoric and controversial online behavior.

Pope Leo XIV

The current Pope and leader of the Catholic Church, who has taken progressive stances on issues like immigration and climate change that have drawn criticism from conservative figures like Trump.

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What they’re saying

“Trump is waking up a sleeping giant with these attacks on the Pope. The Catholic community will not stand for this kind of sacrilegious behavior.”

— Local Catholic Leader

The takeaway

Trump's latest online antics have further damaged his standing among religious and international communities, underscoring the former president's continued efforts to sow division and controversy even after leaving office.