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

President Donald Trump has drawn increasing criticism following a post on Truth Social that featured an AI-generated image of him as a Christ-like figure. The deleted visual depicted the leader seemingly curing a patient in a hospital bed, which he later clarified was meant to show him as a medical professional. This came shortly after Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV in a detailed statement, reigniting debates about his religious rhetoric. BBC’s Sarah Smith examines the tension between Trump’s portrayal and the Vatican, while highlighting the mixed reactions from his supporters.

Artemis II Mission Breaks Lunar Distance Records

The Artemis II crew, currently orbiting the Moon, has set a new benchmark for distance from Earth. Their nine-day journey surpassed the previous record of 248,655 miles (400,171km), previously held by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970. The mission, which includes Canada’s first astronaut to venture into deep space, Jeremy Hansen, marks a historic step in NASA’s lunar exploration efforts. While the crew won’t land on the Moon this time, the mission aims to pave the way for future landings by 2028.

“It is so great to hear from Earth again,” said astronaut Christina Koch after reestablishing communication. The crew’s record-breaking distance remains a focus as they continue their orbit.

Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman’s wife passed away from cancer in 2020 at the age of 46, adding a personal dimension to the mission. The astronauts, including those who practiced capsule maneuvers during their training, are entering the third day of their journey around the Moon’s far side. Meanwhile, a separate event saw over 15,000 marshmallows dropped from a helicopter during the annual Great Marshmallow Drop, with children eagerly collecting them.

As NASA’s first crewed lunar mission in 50 years, the Artemis II flight has drawn public attention. A rare view of the launch was shared with passengers on a commercial flight, who watched from just three miles away as the most powerful rocket ever built launched from Florida. Despite delays and technical hurdles, the mission has now reached Earth’s orbit, with the crew preparing for eventual splashdown. The BBC’s Science Editor Rebecca Morelle and Ione Wells have covered both the astronauts’ experiences and the protests surrounding Trump’s recent executive order.