Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, openly challenges President Trump's war against Iran after the administration invokes Christian theology to justify military action. New York Times Rome bureau chief Motoko Rich explains why this confrontation matters and how the Pope—unlike other world leaders—cannot be intimidated by Trump's typical tactics. Pope Leo XIV broke his pattern of mild diplomacy by directly confronting Trump over the Iran war after Defense Secretary Hegseth invoked Jesus Christ to justify military victory. Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure healing the sick, sparking outrage from Catholics and Christians who viewed it as blasphemous.