VATICAN—In response to President Donald Trump’s Truth Social post falsely depicting himself as Jesus Christ, Leo XIV posted a similar AI-Generated image of himself as president of the United States. The image depicts Leo in a mix between a presidential suite and his normal white clerical garb staring into the distance as F-22 raptors fly over the White House.

An hour later, Leo posted a retort to Trump’s critical post in terms that seemed to suggest a newly-strained relationship between the Vatican and the U.S.

“Trump shall make a fine court jester when we have finished instituting a new Holy Roman Empire in America,” Leo said in the post. It is unclear whether Leo meant this as a joke or truly desires to conquer the United States.

At a press conference on Monday, Leo dodged questions about the posts a social media feud from reporters.

As things stand, the Holy Father has not renounced his U.S. citizenship, which qualifies him to run for president, if he so desires. Leo has also not commented on this matter.