US President Donald Trump has shared an AI-generated image portraying himself as Jesus Christ, intensifying an ongoing public dispute with the head of the Catholic Church.

The image, posted on Truth Social, depicts Trump in flowing robes, surrounded by radiant light and appearing to perform a healing. Figures resembling angels or soldiers hover nearby, while fighter jets streak across the sky and fireworks illuminate the background. The Statue of Liberty is also visible, blending religious imagery with symbols of American power.

The post followed a series of sharp criticisms directed at the pope, whom Trump described as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” after the pontiff called for an end to escalating global conflicts.

In his remarks, Trump accused the pope of failing to acknowledge what he described as restrictions placed on religious institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also criticised the pope’s positions on nuclear weapons and recent US military actions, and suggested that the pontiff’s election was politically motivated.

“I don’t want a pope who criticises the President of the United States for carrying out his mandate,” Trump said, while also defending his administration’s record on crime and the economy.

Speaking to reporters later, the president said he was “not a fan” of the pope, adding that he believed the religious leader was “very liberal” and not performing effectively in his role.

The pope’s earlier comments, delivered during evening prayers at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, focused on the need for peace amid rising global tensions. He warned against what he described as a growing “delusion of omnipotence” driving conflict and urged world leaders to prioritise dialogue over war.

“Enough of the idolatry of self and money. Enough of the display of power. Enough of war,” the pope said. “True strength is shown in serving life.”

In recent statements, the pontiff has also called for an end to ongoing conflicts involving major global powers, emphasising that peace can only be achieved through coexistence and diplomacy. He has further criticised mass deportations and immigration policies in the United States, describing them as inconsistent with human dignity.

Relations between the two figures have deteriorated since the pope’s election in 2025. While Trump initially welcomed the development, tensions quickly emerged over differences in policy and rhetoric, particularly on migration and international conflict.

The AI-generated image marks the latest escalation in the dispute, underscoring the increasingly public and symbolic nature of the rift between political and religious leadership.