DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Cardinal Pablo David and Filipino bishops criticized United States President Donald Trump over his statement belittling Pope Leo XIV and for posting an AI image of himself as a Christ-like figure.
Trump and the Pope have exchanged opposing statements on the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.
Pope Leo XIV recently condemned the president’s statement of annihilating Iranian civilization as “truly unacceptable” and called for dialogue to resolve the conflict.
In response, the United States leader described Pope Leo XIV as “weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy” and further said Pope Leo, the first American-born pontiff, “was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.”
Trump later shared an AI-generated image in his Truth Social account that depicts himself as a Christ-like figure praying over a person in a backdrop of American flags and fighter planes. The post was later deleted after it received backlash.
Cardinal David said this image is “dangerous” for portraying Trump as a leader “endorsed by heaven…. A divinely guided leader, chosen to heal, protect, and restore a wounded America.”
In his social media post titled “Messianic Nationalism” the Cardinal warned that “the imagery sacralizes political authority. And history has shown that when political figures begin to occupy messianic space, the consequences for truth, accountability, and even faith itself can become deeply problematic.”
Pope Leo XIV has openly criticized United States leaders for using Christianity to justify its attack on Iran. The US has accused Iran of developing nuclear weapons to justify its attacks, which the latter denied.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of Caritas Philippines said the US war is “illegal and wrong” and said Filipinos “cannot remain silent about it” as the people feel the effect of the war in rising oil prices.
“It is felt here in the daily lives of Filipinos. When fuel prices rise, the first to be affected are not headlines, but people,” Alminaza said.
Bishop Antonio Ablon of Iglesia Filipina Independiente put contrast between the Pope and Trump as the latter uses fear and intimidation.
“Some leaders define strength through control, while others define it through service, but the world keeps rewarding the loudest form of power. When force becomes the standard, the vulnerable are the first to be forgotten,” he said on his Facebook video.
The Vatican has not issued a direct response to Trump’s latest remarks, as Pope Leo XIV continues to call for dialogue and restraint, registering concern for civilians caught in the war.(davaotoday.com)
