Outrage over Trump’s blatant image portraying himself as Jesus
The extraordinary angry and bitter words Trump used about Pope Leo, and his “blasphemous” and “sacrilegious” posting of a image of himself as Jesus healing a man, has caused outrage in the United States. The image was taken down after a few hours following a barrage of criticism on social media from his conservative evangelical supporters and Catholics. Trump had this defence: “It wasn’t a depiction. I did post it and I thought it was me as a doctor. And had to do with red cross as a red cross worker, which we support and only the fake news could come up with that one.”
Among the critics was his adviser Pastor Mark Burns, who told Times Radio in the UK: “I asked the President to take the Jesus photo down as it had offended millions of Christians and Catholics all over the world”. Marjorie Taylor Greene, former Maga Congresswoman, said “I completely denounce this and I’m praying against it!!!” .
Rod Dreher, from the conservative right Danube Institute in Hungary and close friend of the US vice president JD Vance, described the image as “Trump’s blasphemous Self-Jesus tweet” and reflected on the global coverage of the story: “Top of the Daily Mail website right now. My fellow Americans, especially my fellow conservative Americans, we are becoming the laughingstock of the world. And for what?”.
Even Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran, was drawn in, saying to the Pope: “I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran, and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person. I wish you glory by Allah.”
Pope is not afraid and will continue to speak out
Trump posted on Truth Social that Pope Leo, who is American, was weak, only appointed as a way of “dealing with” him, catered to the radical left and should focus on being a pope not a politician. On the plane to Algiers for an 11 day visit to Africa, Pope Leo said he had no fear of Trump: “I do not see my role as that of a politician. I am not a politician, and I do not want to enter into a debate with him. I do not think the message of the Gospel should be abused as some are doing. I continue to speak out loudly against war, seeking to promote peace, dialogue, and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems”. Trump told reporters he did not owe Pope Leo an apology because the Pope had said things that were wrong and he was just responding to him.
Bishop Robert Barron, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona–Rochester (Minnesota) and founder of global Catholic resources company “Word on Fire”, said the comments were “entirely inappropriate and disrespectful…I think the President owes the Pope an apology.”
Italian prime minister Georgia Meloni, said on X: “Trump’s words toward the Holy Father are unacceptable. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal for him to call for peace and to condemn every form of war”.
More comment is analysed by Jack Jenkins at the Religion News Service here.
Catholic hierarchy calls for peace and renounces war
Trump’s deep and personal attack followed the Pope’s frequent calls for peace and an end to the war in Iran, calls echoed by Catholic leaders in the US and around the world. On Sunday, US Cardinals Blase Cupich, Robert McElroy and Joseph Tobin appeared on CBS news in a joint interview saying they were aware of the anxieties of people about the threats to peace at all different levels. They issued a statement saying: “We renounce war as an instrument for narrow national interests and proclaim that military action must be seen only as a last resort in extreme situations, not a normal instrument of national policy.” They were also concerned at the actions of ICE against immigrants. Report here, view the interview here
More comment on the whole story
In response to the sequence of stories, Catholic priest, the Rev James Martin told CNN: “I don’t know too many doctors that have glowing hands … it came after he had just been tweeting out a pretty hateful attack on Pope Leo, so obviously religion was on his mind last night, and that probably came from watching the 60 Minutes special with the thee cardinals”.
Charles Moore, writing in The Telegraph, advised the Pope to keep out of politics: “To play this game well, it is important not to tangle too much with political leaders who, however great their power, are “here today, gone tomorrow”. You must always remember that you can outlast them.”
Melanie Phillips, writing in The Times, said there had been a “near hysterical clamour that he (Trump) was clearly a sacrilegious megalomaniac and had now lost the Christian vote. The furore over the image (which Trump subsequently deleted) detracted from his words about the Pope. Stripping aside Trump’s boastful and bombastic ramblings, his core point was justified. The Pope’s attitude to the Iran war is shocking.”
Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, an English cardinal based in Rome, told BBC Newsnight that the posting of the picture was “quite frankly bizarre” and absurd, and a complete misunderstanding of what Christianity is about. As to Trump’s defence that he was pictured as a doctor, the Cardinal said: “I have met many doctors in my life and none of them have been robed like that”. He knows Pope Leo well and said he was fearless, a man of extraordinary tranquillity with a deep inner peace, and was chosen because he was a good, gentle man who would seek peace and justice. Countries using their military might to win power made this an extremely dangerous moment, he said, and the Pope had a duty to speak out against anybody who promoted war in this way. Interview is here.
Other news
Twelve aid agencies combine to seek aid for forgotten Sudan
Twelve aid agencies have formed the “Keep Eyes On Sudan” coalition to seek urgent government help for humanitarian aid in Sudan. They are delivering a petition with 41,243 signatures to Downing Street today, saying the level of human suffering affecting 33.7 million people in Sudan has reached “unimaginable levels” after three years of brutal conflict. Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille, from the Diocese of El Obeid in Sudan, issued a letter to mark the third anniversary of the conflict, saying “What began as a political and military struggle has grown into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Millions have been displaced… communities once living side by side in peace now face hunger, fear, and uncertainty. Essential services such as schools, health facilities, and markets have been crippled. The rich social fabric of Sudan—woven from culture, faith, and diversity—has been deeply wounded.” CAFOD, one of a few agencies with workers still in the region, said according to the United Nations, 4.2 million cases of acute malnutrition are expected in 2026 in Sudan, including more than 800,000 cases of severe acute malnutrition. Women and girls are particularly at risk from extreme hunger and violence. The petition, titled “Sudan can’t wait: UK government must step up for Sudan” demands that the UK Government urgently step up its action on Sudan.
RMC briefing on Sudan, the forgotten story
The Religion Media Centre is holding a media briefing tomorrow, Wednesday 15 April at 1200, with leaders of aid agencies, journalists and religious leaders from Sudan, to discuss the humanitarian aid and how the world should pay more attention to address the challenges. Guests include Christian Aid CEO Patrick Watt; Islamic Relief interim Director Zia Salik; Tearfund’s South Sudan Country Director, Erickson Bisetsa; Sam Kiley, World Affairs Editor at The Independent; Jon Williams, Executive Director of the Rory Peck Trust; and Bishop Zechariah Manyok Biar, from the Episcopal Church of South Sudan-Anglican Communion. To join us and get the link, email: [email protected].
Forum for faith investors responsible for $20 billion in investments
Faith investors responsible for $20 billion in investments, are meeting in a forum in Paris this week to create a new alliance of investors able to address environmental and social challenges together. The world’s religions collectively hold trillions of dollars on the global markets and have been described as the third-largest economic power on Earth. “Faith in the Common Good Forum” is the first time that religious groups, including 33 faith traditions and networks from four major world religions, will come together to discuss coordinated action. The Forum is supported by CCLA (Churches, Charities and Local Authorities) Investment Management Ltd, whose CEO says there is gathering momentum for a with the power to work together for good. The organisers are the Collège des Bernardins in Paris,whose President, Jean-Baptiste de Franssu, isalso the President of the Vatican Bank, and FaithInvest, a UK-based non profit. More information here.
Faith leaders challenge proposals to change rules for demonstrations
Faith leaders from 19 traditions have signed an open letter protesting at a clause in the Crime and Policing Bill that they say could shut down lawful, conscience-led protest. The letter is coordinated by Quakers in Britain and signed by leaders from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist traditions, who say the “cumulative disruption” clause is too vague and broad. The clause requires police to consider previous and planned protests in the same area when deciding whether to impose conditions on a demonstration. But the signatories say this could prevent lawful protests. “Peaceful protest motivated by faith, belief and love should be celebrated, not criminalised. We urge the government and MPs to drop the clause on cumulative disruption,” the letter says.
Festival of Vaisakhi marked today
The festival of Vaisakhi is marked today, 14 April, with events all over the world which span several weeks. The festival marks the Spring harvest in India and is celebrated by the whole community, but it is a highly significant festival for Sikhs, marking the creation of The Khalsa, the body of committed Sikhs who have decided to dedicate their lives to the values taught by the Sikh gurus. Celebrations involve large processions known as the Nagar Kirtan, led by five members of the Khalsa with flags, a carnival float carrying the sacred scripture Guru Granth Sahib, worship in gurdwaras, and shared meals called the langar. London’s main civic event is Vaisakhi on the Square in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 18 April. The celebrations around the country take place alongside Sikh Heritage Month in the UK. Factsheet here.
