Bernie Sanders calls out Trump for attacking Pope, says it is ‘deranged, egomaniacal behavior’

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen Bernie Sanders unloaded on President Donald Trump after the commander-in-chief posted an AI-generated image casting himself as a Jesus-like figure while taking shots at Pope Leo XIV.

The now-deleted image, shared on Trump’s Truth Social account, showed him draped in a white robe, placing a hand on a man’s head in what looked like a healing scene. It was taken down b April 12.

Meanwhile, Trump went after the pope directly, branding him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.” Sanders quickly fired back on X.

"Trump is now attacking the Pope for speaking out against war while posting images of himself as a messianic figure," the Vermont Democrat wrote. "This is not only offensive. It is deranged, egomaniacal behavior. When will Republicans in Congress stop blindly following this dangerous and unhinged man?"

Trump doubles down on criticism

Trump appeared unfazed and offered a different spin on the controversial image.

Speaking to reporters later, he insisted the post wasn’t what critics made it out to be.

“And had to do with the Red Cross as a Red Cross worker, which we support. And only the fake news could come up with that one,” he said.

He also made clear he’s not interested in taking heat from the Vatican. “I don’t want a Pope who criticises the President of the United States,” Trump added.

The pope, however, signaled he wasn’t looking to escalate the spat. “I don’t want to get into a debate with him,” Pope Leo said while en route to Algiers, kicking off an 11-day visit across four African nations.

“I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote ⁠peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states ⁠to look for just ⁠solutions to problems,” the pontiff said.

“Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to ‌stand ‌up and say there’s a better way.”

Church leaders and global figures pile on

The clash is just the latest chapter in rising tensions between the White House and the Vatican, fueled by disagreements over immigration policy, military actions, and the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran.

Back home, senior Catholic leaders are defending the pope.

“I am disheartened that the president chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father. Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician,” said Archbishop Paul S Coakley, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. “He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls,” Coakley added.

In Las Vegas, Archbishop George Leo Thomas backed the pontiff. “I am grateful to God for sending us Pope Leo XIV, who is willing to speak truth to power just when we need him the most,” Thomas said.

“Pope Leo is calling for dialogue over diatribe, prayer over politics, and diplomacy above destruction,” he added.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also weighed in, calling Trump’s remarks “unacceptable.”

“I find President Trump’s words towards the Holy Father unacceptable. The pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal for him to call for peace and to condemn every form of war,” she said in a statement.