Canadian bishops speak out amid Trump’s spat with Pope Leo XIV over Middle East
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Digital Subscription
One year of digital access for only $205*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
A group representing Catholic bishops across Canada is speaking out against using images of Christ for political rhetoric after U.S. President Donald Trump posted religious pictures on social media amid his spat with Pope Leo XIV.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said in a statement Thursday that it doesn’t intervene in political affairs of other countries, but recent events “make it opportune to underscore the moral principles that should inform public life everywhere, including truthfulness, humility, reverence and concern for the innocent.”
It didn’t name Trump in its statement but said imagery or rhetoric presenting political leaders “in terms that belong uniquely to Christ and His saving work” is disrespectful.
Trump shared an AI-created image on social media Wednesday showing Jesus embracing him with an American flag in the background.
That post came after Trump was criticized for posting another AI image depicting him as a Jesus-like figure healing a sick person. Trump said it was meant to portray him as a doctor.
Trump’s social media posts followed the Pope expressing opposition to the war in Iran in favour of peaceful negotiations.
The Canadian bishops said such representations “blur the proper distinction between faith and political power, distorting the meaning of both.”
After the Pope’s comments, Trump retaliated by calling the U.S.-born pontiff weak and captive to the “radical left.” Trump even suggested Leo XIV came to lead the Catholic Church due to the influence of his administration.
The Pope said in a social media post earlier this month that those who are disciples of Christ are “never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs.” He also called Trump’s Easter Sunday threats to annihilate Iranian infrastructure “truly unacceptable.”
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops also called for peace Thursday, saying the faithful in Canada should pray for “all who suffer because of war.”
“Pope Leo XIV’s witness in such moments is moral and pastoral, not partisan,” the statement said.
“His words remind the world that peace is never advanced by contempt, that leadership requires restraint, and that the suffering of innocent people should always be avoided as much as possible.”
Also Thursday, the Archbishop of Canterbury expressed solidarity with the Pope in calling for peace in the Middle East.
Archbishop Sarah Mullally, who assumed her role as head of the Church of England in January, said she stood with the Pope in his “courageous call for peace.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2026.
— With files from The Associated Press
Related Articles
Politicians and religion: a bad mix
Advertisement Advertise With Us
Advertisement Advertise With Us
The Free Press acknowledges the financial support it receives from members of the city’s faith community, which makes our coverage of religion possible.
