Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a televised Bible reading amidst ongoing tensions with Pope Leo XIV over the U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran. The U.S. president will recite passages from Chapter 7 of the Second Book of Chronicles as part of ‘America Reads the Bible’, a commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The event aims to honor the country’s founding principles and encourage a reconnection with enduring truths.
Differences between Trump and Pope Leo have been escalating, with Senator John Kennedy criticizing what he labeled as the president’s “holy war” against the Pope. Leo denounced Trump’s threats against Iranian civilization as unacceptable and in violation of international law, urging global citizens to press for an end to the conflict in the Middle East.
Following these exchanges, Trump faced criticism, even from his own supporters, for sharing and subsequently deleting an AI-generated image portraying him in a Jesus-like role healing a sick individual. Trump then launched a verbal attack on the Pope on social media, lambasting him for various policy stances.
In response, Leo expressed steadfastness in delivering the Gospel message and standing against the Trump administration’s actions. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned what he saw as disrespect towards Jesus and voiced support for the Pope, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a Catholic and Trump ally, found the president’s comments on the Pope unacceptable.
Trump continued to post religious-themed images of himself, sparking further controversy. One image, shared on social media, depicted a figure resembling Jesus embracing Trump, with a caption insinuating divine intervention in current events. The president’s actions drew mixed reactions from various quarters, underscoring the ongoing rift between him and the Pope.
