France’s Le Figaro reports that Donald Trump engaged in a “thoughtless” conflict with the Pope while struggling to secure concessions from Iran.
Trump’s Conflict with the Pope
According to Le Figaro, Trump engaged “thoughtlessly” in a conflict with the Pope, expecting an “easy victory” as he faces difficulties in compelling Iran to make concessions.
Le Figaro states that Trump did not limit himself to insulting Christians, “taking them for idiots” by claiming he was depicted as a “doctor” in an AI-generated image.
Historical Parallel and MAGA Criticism
The newspaper draws a parallel to Joseph Stalin’s 1935 question, “How many divisions does the Pope have?” noting Trump received the response of “one and a half billion Catholics worldwide.”
Le Figaro describes the MAGA movement as appearing like a “sectarian group” in this context.
Trump’s Absurd Claims and AI Image
The publication labels Trump’s attack as “absurd,” referencing his claim that Pope Leo XIV was elected due to being American and should be grateful to him.
Trump reportedly “has luck that he has before him a man of faith who looks at it differently and forgives baseness.”
Trump’s Criticism of Pope Leo XIV
As previously reported, Trump stated on Sunday, April 12th, that Pope Leo XIV is “weak on crime” and “terrible on foreign policy.”
He also posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed in Jesus’s robes on his Truth Social platform, which was later removed.
Trump’s Explanation and Papal Response
Trump claimed he thought the image depicted him as a doctor, related to the Red Cross, stating, “I, as a doctor, am supposed to help people. And I do help people. I make people much better.”
Pope Leo XIV, when questioned about the dispute, stated he would continue to appeal for peace and speak out against war.
