How Trump’s Jesus-like image and feud with the Pope are sparking backlash

Trump’s Christ-like portrayal and Pope conflict stir controversy

Donald Trump’s recent post on Truth Social, featuring an AI-generated image of him as a Christ-like figure, has sparked widespread debate. The image, which was later removed, depicted the president seemingly performing a healing act on a hospitalized individual. This came just hours after Trump issued a critical statement about Pope Leo XIV. The former president clarified that he believed the image portrayed him as a medical professional. BBC journalist Sarah Smith delves into the escalating tensions between Trump and the Pope, as well as the reactions from his core supporters.

Astronauts break lunar distance records

The Artemis II crew has set a new benchmark for space exploration, reaching farther from Earth than any humans before. Their 10-day mission around the Moon established a record of 248,655 miles (400,171km), surpassing the Apollo 13 achievement in 1970. The astronauts, including Canada’s first deep-space traveler Jeremy Hansen, shared updates via video call, highlighting their experiences and messages for loved ones. Christina Koch, one of the crew members, expressed relief upon reestablishing communication:

“It is so great to hear from Earth again.”

Though the current Artemis II mission does not include a lunar landing, NASA is preparing for such an event by 2028. The crew practiced maneuvering the Orion spacecraft during their journey, which included navigating the Moon’s far side. Meanwhile, a commercial flight witnessed a rare spectacle as spectators three miles away observed the launch of NASA’s first crewed Moon mission in half a century. The most powerful rocket ever built propelled the astronauts into Earth’s orbit, marking a significant milestone in space travel.