Darin LaHood

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, a Republican from Peoria, was not fond of President Donald Trump's controversial remarks about Pope Leo XIV, in which the president called the pope “Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons.”

LaHood, a Catholic and ally of Trump, said in a statement to the Journal Star:

"Faith teaches us to show grace and respect, even when we disagree. The President's comments toward Pope Leo fell short of that mark,” LaHood said in a statement.

Other prominent Illinois Republicans, including gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, who also is a Trump ally, was also critical of Trump's remarks.

"I'm a Christian and I'm an Illinoisan," Bailey wrote on social media. "President Trump mocking a Chicago-born Pope and posting himself as Jesus Christ is wrong. I don't care whose name is attached to it — I'll always call it like I see it."

Trump post about Pope Leo

Trump and Pope Leo XIV have been at odds since Trump made a post on social media threatening to wipe out "an entire civilization," while talking about the war in Iran.

The pope called Trump's remarks "unacceptable," which in turn led Trump to go on a social media tirade that included an AI-generated image of Trump depicted as Jesus, which Trump posted on social media.

Trump said Monday that he thought the image, which depicts him in red and white robes with glowing hands and a light around his head, was supposed to be of him as a doctor healing people.

Many people, including religious figures and right-wing media influencers, were displeased with Trump's depiction, calling it "gross blasphemy."

Pope Leo XIV has become somewhat of a target for Trump supporters, including some in the Peoria area, who voiced their displeasure with remarks the pope made while speaking to a group of mayors that included Peoria Mayor Rita Ali.

In those remarks the pope urged Illinois mayors to protect immigrants, the poor and "the least of them."

Some Peoria Facebook commenters posted comments that read "Sounds like the pope is opening up the Vatican for all the immigrants," and "Tear down the Vatican walls and move some into the papal apartments."