Donald Trump deletes Truth Social post portraying himself as Jesus Christ amid furious backlash

In the controversial post, the 47th President partnered extraordinary criticism of the Pontiff with an AI-generated image of himself depicted as Jesus Christ, covered in white robes with an American flag billowing behind him.

The 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.

At the White House earlier today, the President insisted he thought the controversial image had depicted him as a doctor.

He explained: "It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better, and I do make people better."

After the extraordinary online post, the President was subsequently subjected to widespread criticism from a range of political leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who said his comments were "unacceptable".

Ms Meloni, who is known to be a close ally to the President, said: "I find President Trump's words towards the Holy Father 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."

Meanwhile, Bishop Robert Barron, a member of Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission said the President owed the Pope an apology for his criticism.

"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."

Another key figure in the Church, the Archbishop of Oklahoma City Paul Coakley said: "I am disheartened that the President chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father.

"Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls."

The President has since confirmed he had removed the post hours after the post had vanished from his profile.

Mr Trump first sparked fury on Monday after he accused the Pontiff of being "WEAK on crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy" in an explosive online rant.

His furore was in response to Pope Leo's evening prayers at St Peter's Basilica on Saturday, where the holy leader directly addressed world leaders who engaged 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."

While the Pontiff did not directly name Mr Trump or the Iran conflict, it was seen as the most direct rebuke of the President's actions in the Middle East yet.

After the presidential criticism, Pope Leo announced he would "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".

Nevertheless, Mr Trump doubled down on his position and told reporters outside the Oval Office earlier today: "I think he's very weak on crime and other things...

"We believe strongly in law and order and he seemed to have a problem with that.

"There's nothing to apologise for, he's wrong, he didn't like what we're doing with respect to Iran, but Iran wants to be a nuclear nation so they can exterminate the world. Not going to happen."

On Monday, the Pope declared he had "no fear of the Trump administration" and declared he did not fear "speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do".

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