In the midst of ongoing tensions with Pope Leo XIV over geopolitical issues, President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a televised Bible reading. The reading, set for Tuesday at 6pm EST (11pm BST), will feature verses 11-22 from Chapter 7 of the Second Book of Chronicles. This event is part of ‘America Reads the Bible’, a week-long commemoration marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, aiming to celebrate the nation’s founding principles and encourage a reconnection with its core values.
The rift between Trump and Pope Leo has been simmering for months but escalated recently, drawing criticism from Senator John Kennedy who denounced the president’s actions as a “holy war” against the Pope. Leo, on April 7, condemned Trump’s threats against Iranian civilization as “unacceptable” and emphasized the importance of upholding international law by avoiding attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Subsequently, Trump faced backlash for posting and deleting an AI-generated image portraying him in a Jesus-like role healing a sick individual. The President’s social media outburst against the Pope further fueled the discord, with Trump questioning Leo’s stance on various global issues and implying that the Pope’s election was influenced by American interests.
In response, Pope Leo expressed his unwavering commitment to speaking out boldly on Gospel messages, reaffirming his position despite Trump’s criticisms. The situation garnered support for the Pope from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who emphasized the Pope’s role in advocating for peace and denouncing warfare.
Continuing the religious-themed portrayals, Trump shared another AI-generated image depicting a divine intervention scenario, prompting varied reactions from the public. The ongoing discourse underscores the deepening divide between the two influential figures and their contrasting perspectives on international affairs and spiritual matters.