By Our Correspondent

National News – A growing public clash between Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV is reshaping political loyalties among American Catholics, as tensions over the ongoing Iran war deepen.

The dispute escalated within the last 48 hours after Trump criticised the Pope and shared a controversial AI-generated image portraying himself in a Christ-like manner, sparking backlash from both liberal and conservative Catholic groups.

Notably, prominent conservative Catholic voices who once backed Trump are now distancing themselves.

Bishop Joseph Strickland, a former ally, rejected the war outright, arguing it fails the Church’s “just war” doctrine and causes unjust civilian suffering.

His stance reflects a rare shift, as many right-leaning Catholics align with the Pope’s call for peace rather than the White House narrative.

The divide is politically significant. Catholic voters, who previously leaned toward Trump in the 2024 election, are now showing signs of fragmentation.

Analysts say this is unusual, as American Catholics are typically split along partisan lines on issues like immigration and abortion.

However, the moral clarity of the Pope’s anti-war position appears to be uniting factions across ideological divides.

Further criticism came after Trump’s remarks perceived as dismissive of the Pope’s authority.

Catholic commentators argue that attacking the Pope resonates deeply with believers, as he is regarded not just as a global leader but a spiritual authority.

At the Vatican, officials maintain that the Pope’s stance is rooted in moral teaching rather than politics, emphasizing peace and the limits of acceptable warfare.

Still, Trump’s response suggests an attempt to counter the Pope’s influence—an effort that may be backfiring politically.