The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference's Chairperson of the Justice and Peacde Commission Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa has slammed U.S. President Donald Trump for sharing an AI-generated image portraying himself as Jesus Christ, calling it “blasphemous” and offensive. The bishops also warned against rising Christian nationalism and defended the authority of the papacy, urging global leaders to reject “political messiah” narratives and prioritise peace.
Image: Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference
The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has issued a blistering rebuke of US President Donald Trump, labelling his recent social media conduct as "blasphemous" and a "grave offence against the Christian faith."
The statement, released late on Monday by the Justice and Peace Commission, comes as President Trump intensifies a public war of words with Pope Leo XIV, who arrived in Algeria on Monday to begin his historic first-ever apostolic tour of the African continent.
‘A Political Messiah’
The controversy was ignited by a post on the social media platform X, in which President Trump shared an AI-generated image depicting himself in the likeness of Jesus Christ. The SACBC, led by Chairperson Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa, stated that the image “trivialises the mystery of the Incarnation.”
“Any representation, whether by image or technological means, that attributes to a political leader the identity or likeness of Our Lord Jesus Christ is blasphemous,” the statement read.
Pope Leo XIV says he is not of Donald Trump’s administration and will continue to speak truth to power, as tensions between the Holy See and Washington escalate following Trump’s AI-generated image depicting himself in the likeness of Jesus Christ, an act the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference has condemned as blasphemous. The Pope is on a 11-day tour of his first visit of Africa since his election by the Conclave in May last year.
Image: Vatican News/Facebook
“As followers of Christ, we will not allow any earthly authority, however powerful, to claim a divine identity.”
The Bishops further warned against a "strong current of Christian nationalism" that seeks to portray political leaders as "political messiahs" tasked with saving their nations through a "salvific role" that belongs to God alone.
Attacks on the Papacy
The diplomatic rift between the White House and the Vatican reached boiling point just as Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born Pope, touched down in Algiers. Trump lashed out at the Pontiff on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling him “terrible for foreign policy” and “weak on crime.”
The President suggested the Pope should “stop catering to the Radical Left” and even claimed credit for Pope Leo's election, stating the Church only chose an American to “deal with” his administration.
“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump wrote.
The SACBC condemned these "ridiculous" remarks directed at the Holy Father, affirming their support for the Pope’s "Petrine ministry" as he navigates a world "wounded by personal and structural sin."
President Donald Trump has blasted Pope Leo XIV and accused him of being terrible for foreign policy and weak on crime committed by Iran as tensions between Washington and the Holy See escalate. Trump also tried to take credit for the Pope's election.
Image: Facebook/White House
A Message from Africa to the World
While President Trump doubles down on his "America First" rhetoric, the Southern African bishops reiterated the Pope’s call for global de-escalation.
With the Pope scheduled to visit Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea over the next ten days, the SACBC used the moment to issue a stern warning to all global leaders.
“Enough of the idolatry of self and money,” the Bishops declared, repeating a message often preached by Pope Leo XIV.
“Enough of the display of power. Enough of war. True strength is shown in serving life.”
As of Tuesday morning, the Vatican has maintained a dignified silence regarding the AI image, with Pope Leo XIV telling reporters aboard the papal flight that he has “no fear” and will continue to proclaim a message of peace to the "wounded world."
The full statement of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference Justice and Peace Commission led by Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa tearing apart US President Donald Trump's social media conduct and an attack on Pope Leo XIV.
Image: Supplied
“I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the church is here to do.”
Pope Leo XIV was elected by the Conclave on 8 May 2025 following the passing of Pope Francis in April. He was formerly an Augustinian friar who served as a missionary in Peru and held several posts in the Vatican.
US President Donald Trump has shared an AI-generated image of himself as a robed, Christ-like figure healing a bedridden man. The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference has slammed the image as blasphemous and offensive to the Christian doctrine.
Image: Truth Social