How Trump’s Jesus-like image and feud with the Pope are sparking backlash
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has drawn increasing criticism after sharing a portrait of himself as a Christ-like figure on Truth Social. The AI-generated photo, which was later removed, depicted Trump seemingly curing a patient in a hospital setting. This post followed a critique of Pope Leo XIV, which Trump later clarified by claiming the image portrayed him as a medical professional. BBC reporter Sarah Smith examines the ongoing conflict with the pontiff and the reactions from Trump’s core supporters.
Astronauts Set New Lunar Distance Record
The Artemis II crew recently completed a lunar orbit journey, surpassing the previous distance record of 248,655 miles (400,171km) established by the Apollo 13 team in 1970. The mission, lasting ten days, has now concluded with the astronauts returning to Earth. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, the first to venture into deep space as part of this mission, received a call from the prime minister during their voyage. Science editor Rebecca Morelle interviewed the crew before their anticipated splashdown on Saturday.
“It is so great to hear from Earth again,” said astronaut Christina Koch upon re-establishing contact. The crew, aboard the Orion spacecraft, broke the old record and are still progressing further into space.
While the Artemis II mission did not include a lunar landing, NASA is preparing for one by 2028. The astronauts, who are on the third day of their Moon journey, shared video messages with loved ones, reflecting on their experiences. The mission also involved practicing capsule maneuvers and conducting various experiments on the spacecraft.
A commercial flight passenger witnessed the launch of NASA’s first crewed Moon mission in 50 years, as the most powerful rocket ever built lifted off from Florida. After delays and technical challenges, the spacecraft is now in Earth’s orbit. The mission marks a significant step toward the U.S. goal of landing humans on the Moon again by 2028.
Trump’s Relationship with the Pope
Trump’s recent criticism of Pope Leo XIV has intensified debates about his religious imagery. The former prosecutor, who has advised Trump in legal matters, is part of a network that includes long-standing allies. The papal remarks came hours before the Jesus-like image was posted, sparking a wave of public reactions.
