The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference has condemned an AI-generated image posted by US President Donald Trump depicting himself as Jesus Christ, calling it blasphemous and warning against political figures adopting religious symbolism amid rising global tensions.
Image: Truth Social
An AI-generated image of Donald Trump depicted as Jesus Christ is blasphemous and constitutes a grave offence against the Christian faith, the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC) said.
“The X post of President Trump featuring an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus Christ trivialises the mystery of the Incarnation and the person of Christ, who alone is ‘the image of the invisible God’ (Col 1:15),” the conference said.
“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 and constitutes a grave offence against the Christian faith. As followers of Christ, we will not allow any earthly authority, however powerful, to claim a divine identity or to appropriate the symbols of faith in ways that obscure the truth of the Gospel,” said SACBC chairperson Thulani Mbuyisa.
Trump’s post portraying himself as a Jesus-like figure appearing to heal a sick man in a hospital bed triggered widespread criticism.
The post surfaced hours after Trump shared a lengthy message criticising Pope Leo XIV, who has been outspoken in opposing US and Israeli military operations in Iran.
Trump later deleted the post but said the image was intended to portray him as a doctor.
Mbuyisa said Trump’s actions were rooted in and shaped by a strong current of Christian nationalism.
“We firmly reject forms of Christian nationalism that encourage the worship of political leaders and portray them as bearing a salvific role for their nations, presenting them as ‘political messiahs’ tasked with making their nations great again,” he said.
“We condemn President Trump’s attacks directed at Pope Leo XIV as he faithfully carries out his Petrine ministry, proclaiming the peace of the Risen Christ to a world wounded by personal and structural sin,” Mbuyisa said.
He added that there was “much at stake in the current developments in our world”.
“Too many lives are being lost, too much suffering is borne by the most vulnerable, and too much evil persists. The ridicule by President Trump will not deter the Church from speaking out and declaring the healing and peace of the Risen Lord into our wounded world,” he said.
“We therefore repeat the message of Pope Leo XIV to President Trump and to all those who are leading the world towards the brink of a third world war and a global economic recession: Enough of the idolatry of self and money. Enough of the display of power. Enough of war. True strength is shown in serving life,” he said.
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