Chicago's Catholic community criticizes Trump's attacks on Pope Leo, Jesus-like AI-generated image

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Pope Leo XIV's criticism of the ongoing war in Iran has sparked a strong response from President Donald Trump, who lashed out at the pontiff overnight on social media and then again on Monday from the White House.

Chicago's Catholic community is reacting to those comments as well as an AI-generated image of the president that is also drawing fire.

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Pope Leo, who is from the Chicago area, is not the first to face the ire of Trump. While Trump was a candidate in 2015, he also had harsh words for Pope Francis. But the back-and-forth between the president and Pope Leo caught many Catholics off-guard, with an AI-generated image being viewed as even more offensive.

Pope Leo is on a four-country trip to Africa to promote peace across the world coming under presidential condemnation for recent comments in which he said a "delusion of omnipotence" is fueling the war in Iran.

"I have no fear of the Trump administration, nor speaking out loudly about the message of the gospel," Pope Leo said.

Trump, in a lengthy overnight social media post, called the pope weak and said he was terrible at foreign policy. Later, from the White House, the president said he does not owe the pope an apology.

"No, I don't, because Pope Leo said things that are wrong. He was very much against what I'm doing with regard to Iran, and you cannot have a nuclear Iran. Pope Leo would not be happy with the end result," Trump said.

At Loyola University, where Pope Leo sent a letter of encouragement that Cardinal Blasé Cupich read at a last month's International Peace and Reconciliation conference, the president's harsh words were disappointing to those on campus.

SEE ALSO | Pope Leo XIV says he does not fear Trump, citing Gospel as he pushes back in feud over Iran war

"I don't think it's helpful, especially an environment that we're all kind of hungry for peace. I think it's kind of kicking the nest, as it were, and making enmity when you should be looking for friendship," said Loyola University Professor of Theology Michael Murphy.

And an AI-generated image of Trump, looking Jesus-like while putting his hand on the head of a man in a hospital bed, offended a number of Loyola students.

"That's a messianic move. That is a big no-no. That really, really bothers Catholics of all stripes. That's a bridge too far," Murphy said.

The president posted it and later took it down.

"I saw the image this morning when I woke up, and it was pretty disturbing," said Loyola University student Ruby Tewahade.

"I think it is pretty blasphemous. What I think is, it's really insane how Trump is trying to pick a fight with the pope," said Cally, another Loyola University student.

At Our Lady of the Holy Family Church in Little Italy, some attending evening Mass also criticized Trump on Monday night.

"I believe he's got no shame. He has just, he has no shame," said attendee Dahyana Hoagland.

"This is kind of like a continuation of, like, an abnormal kind of like leadership in the highest office in the country," said attendee Stephen Ontko.

Trump blamed what he called fake news for misinterpreting the image.

"I just heard about it, and I said, 'How did they come up with that? It's supposed to be me as a doctor making people better,'" Trump said.

Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, appeared on Fox News Channel.

"I think the president was posting a joke, and of course, he took it down, because he recognized a lot of people weren't recognizing his humor in that case," Vance said.

But some supporters of the president remain critical. Minnesota Bishop Robert Barron said the president should apologize, and Republican Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood said in a statement, "Faith teaches us to show grace and respect, even when we disagree. The President's comments toward Pope Leo fell short of that mark."

Meanwhile, the pope made it clear that he will not shy away from speaking out against the war in Iran.

"The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone, and the message of the gospel is very clear, blessed are the peacekeepers," Pope Leo said.

While the pope intends to keep speaking his mind, Murphy expects he will be artful and circumspect.

"And so, I think the Pope has the truth on his side, and that is doing what he's doing, fostering peace. And I think somehow this president feels threatened by that," Murphy said.

He also thinks the president's comments could cost him and his Republican allies some Catholic votes in the November election.

A majority of Catholic voters cast their ballots for Trump in the last election. It is unclear how this controversy will impact that support.