Dispute with the Pope or the Jesus comparison – US President Donald Trump is now also drawing criticism from religious circles. He also goes too far for Swiss Catholics.
April 17, 2026, 3:38 p.mApril 17, 2026, 3:38 p.m
US President Donald Trump has now even taken on the Pope. On the call for an end to the war in a sermon by Pope Leo XIV. countered Trumpthat the pontiff’s foreign policy was “terrible” and that he could be grateful that he became pope. That’s all thanks to him.
When Trump posted a picture of himself as Jesus, the accusation of blasphemy became louder and louder. Trump ultimately deleted the AI image againbut the damage remains. Conservative Catholics in the USA are anything but happy, reports say BBC.
Trump later claimed that the image was intended to portray him not as Jesus, but as a Red Cross doctor.Image: www.imago-images.de
For example, Bishop Joseph Strickland, who had previously supported Trump and was deposed by Pope Francis in 2023. “Using religion to justify, above all, dropping bombs goes against the core of faith,” he now says. Like Pope Leo, Strickland calls for an end to the war in Iran.
Bishop Robert Barron was also once on Trump’s side. Nevertheless, he now believes “that the president owes the Pope an apology.” He describes Trump’s statements as “completely inappropriate and disrespectful.”
The statements made by President Trump on Truth Social regarding the Pope were entirely inappropriate and disrespectful. They don’t contribute at all to a constructive conversation. It is the Pope’s prerogative to articulate Catholic doctrine and the principles that govern the…
— Bishop Robert Barron (@BishopBarron) April 13, 2026
In Switzerland, the bishops are also on Pope Leo’s side. “The members of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference reaffirm their unrestricted solidarity with the Holy Father’s statements,” writes the Bishops’ Conference in a statement. “The Pope’s words are not about polemical disputes, but about anchoring fundamental Christian and humanitarian values.”
Charles Morerod is the highest Swiss bishop. He describes Trump as a “caricature,” like that Daily Gazette writes. He goes on to say that the US President hardly has enough consciousness to be able to commit blasphemy.
“It’s not about politics, but about the Good News and following Jesus.”
Chur Bishop Joseph Maria Bonnemain
The abbot of the Einsiedeln monastery, Urban Federer, emphasizes 20 minuteshow important the Pope’s message is for a democracy. And adds: “Politicians don’t have to like these words.”
«It’s not about politics, but about the good news and following Jesus. It’s about real humanity and the common sense to finally lay down one’s arms and seriously strive for a lasting peace,” says Joseph Maria Bonnemain, Bishop of Chur kath.ch. He also calls Trump’s actions of using Jesus as a justification for war blasphemy.
The Chur Bishop Joseph Maria Bonnemain.Image: keystone
At the same time, Bonnemain expresses admiration for the Pope. «He fearlessly opposes the most powerful and does not shy away from criticism or humiliation. I fully support him in this.”
Even the Evangelical Reformed Church condemns Trump’s behavior. Its chairwoman Rita Famos tells the Tages-Anzeiger that the separation of church and state in the USA is undermined “if you use churches or religious representatives to support your political agenda.” (front)