How Trump’s Jesus-like image and feud with the Pope are sparking backlash
Trump’s Religious Image and Dispute with the Pope Ignite Public Debate
President Donald Trump is encountering mounting criticism following a post on Truth Social that portrayed him as a Jesus-like figure. The AI-generated image, which has since been removed, depicted Trump seemingly curing a patient in a hospital bed. This visual came shortly after the president issued a detailed critique of Pope Leo XIV. Trump later clarified that he believed the image showed him as a physician. BBC’s Sarah Smith explores the tensions between the president and the pope, as well as the mixed reactions from his core supporters.
Apollo 13 Record Broken by Artemis II Crew
During their 10-day mission to the Moon, the Artemis II crew set a new benchmark for distance traveled from Earth. They exceeded the 248,655-mile (400,171km) record previously held by the Apollo 13 astronauts in 1970, continuing to venture farther into space. Once reestablishing communication, astronaut Christina Koch remarked:
“It is so great to hear from Earth again.”
The four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft embarked on a nine-day lunar journey, marking the farthest point humans have reached in history. The mission, which does not include a lunar landing, remains focused on orbital exploration. NASA astronauts conducted various tests, such as simulating capsule maneuvers, during their time in space. Meanwhile, the crew shared personal messages with families via video link, recounting their experiences.
Jeremy Hansen, a Canadian astronaut, received a call from the prime minister during the mission, making him the first to travel beyond low Earth orbit. The crew is currently on the third day of their journey around the Moon’s far side. Notably, Commander Reid Wiseman’s wife passed away from cancer in 2020 at the age of 46. A commercial flight witnessed a rare view of the launch of NASA’s first crewed Moon mission in 50 years, with the BBC’s Science Editor Rebecca Morelle observing from just three miles away as the most powerful rocket ever built launched from Florida.
As the US aims to achieve the first human lunar landing by 2028, the Artemis II mission serves as a critical stepping stone. Its primary goal is to test systems and prepare for future missions, while also capturing public attention with its historic scope. The crew’s activities and achievements highlight the progress being made in space exploration, despite the political discourse surrounding the president’s actions.
