Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a televised Bible reading as tensions with Pope Leo XIV intensify over US and Israeli actions towards Iran. The US president will recite verses 11-22 from Chapter 7 of the Second Book of Chronicles at 6pm EST (11pm BST) on Tuesday, as part of ‘America Reads the Bible’, a commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. The event aims to honor the nation’s founding principles and encourage a reconnection with enduring truths.
The discord between Trump and Leo has been simmering for months and recently reached a crescendo, with Senator John Kennedy condemning what he labeled as the president’s “holy war” against the Pope. Leo rebuked Trump on April 7 for his threats to obliterate Iranian civilization, deeming such actions unacceptable and a breach of international law. He urged global citizens to pressure their leaders to halt the conflict in the Middle East.
Following this, Trump faced backlash from various political quarters, including his own supporters, after he shared and later deleted an AI-generated image portraying himself as a messianic figure healing a sick person in a hospital. Just before this incident on April 12, Trump launched a verbal assault against the Pope on Truth Social, criticizing his stance on various global issues.
In his online rant, Trump expressed disapproval of the Pope’s views on Iran’s nuclear capabilities and America’s actions against Venezuela. He even insinuated that Leo’s election was influenced by American interests to counter his presidency. Leo responded the next day, asserting his steadfast commitment to speaking out in line with Gospel teachings without fear of the Trump administration.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denounced the alleged sacrilege of Jesus in the images while showing support for the Pope. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a Catholic and Trump ally, deemed the president’s comments about the Pope unacceptable, emphasizing the pontiff’s role in advocating for peace.
Trump further stirred controversy by posting another AI-generated religious-themed image of himself on April 15, accompanied by a caption hinting at divine intervention. The president shared a screenshot of a post showing a Jesus-like figure embracing him, sparking mixed reactions online.
