Donald Trump has turned on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and accused his ally of "not caring if Iran has a nuke" in an extraordinary swipe.
The US President said Ms Meloni was "very different to what he thought" and admitted he was "shocked" after she criticised his online rants branding Pope Leo "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy".
His string of posts on Truth Social have enraged Christians across the globe, with the President partnering the scathing criticism of the Pontiff with an AI-generated image of himself depicted as Jesus Christ.
In the offending - and now-deleted - image, he can be seen donning white robes with an American flag billowing behind him.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The AI-crafted image appeared to evoke religious imagery of Jesus healing the sick, with the Republican touching the forehead of a man lying on a hospital bed.
Mr Trump has since insisted he thought it depicted him as a "doctor making people better".
On the same day, the PM, who is often cited as one of Mr Trump's closest European allies, spoke out against the President.
She said: "I find President Trump's words towards the Holy Father unacceptable.
Giorgia Meloni criticised Mr Trump's comments yesterday
|GETTY
"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."
But, today, Mr Trump appeared disheartened by Ms Meloni's stance on the matter, admitting he was "shocked by her".
He went on to accuse the world leader of not caring if Iran has access to nuclear warfare which, he said, "would blow up Italy in two minutes" if given the chance.
"I thought she had courage. I was wrong," he added.
DONALD TRUMP'S ROW WITH POPE LEO - READ MORE:
Donald Trump's AI-generated image stirred up outrage from Christians across the globe
|REUTERS/TRUTH SOCIAL
His fury towards the Church leader was ignited by Pope Leo's evening prayers at St Peter's Basilica on Saturday, where he addressed world leaders who participated in war.
The Pope declared: "To them we cry out: stop! It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation – not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided.
"Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life."
Nor has the President proved to be immune from criticism from his own American followers, with Bishop Robert Barron, a member of Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, weighing in and urging the President to apologise.
"The statements made by President Trump on Truth Social regarding the Pope were entirely inappropriate and disrespectful," the bishop said. "They don’t contribute at all to a constructive conversation."
Meanwhile, the Pope has appeared unbothered by the comments while on a trip to Africa, where he said he has "no fear" of the Trump administration.
He vowed to "continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems".
The holy leader added he did not fear "speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do".