Archbishop of Canterbury appears to take swipe at Trump with pointed criticism of 'deceitful populist leaders'

Rev Justin Welby aims apparent jab at US President and compares Nativity story to refugee crisis in Christmas Day sermon

The archbishop attacked 'populist leaders' during a Christmas Day service at Canterbury Cathedral (PA)

The Archbishop of Canterbury has used his Christmas sermon to focus on terrorist atrocities and the “deceitfulness of populist leaders” during 2017.

The most Rev Justin Welby told worshippers at Canterbury Cathedral on Monday the baby Jesus represented “power seen in humility”.

He also criticised “deceitful” populist leaders, in what some have interpreted as a veiled reference to US President Donald Trump.

Rev Welby told the congregation: “The nature of those who have power is to seek to hold onto it.

“In 2017 we have seen around the world tyrannical leaders that enslave their peoples, populist leaders that deceive them, corrupt leaders that rob them, even simply democratic, well intentioned leaders of many parties and countries who are normal, fallible human beings.

“We have experienced across our country terrorism that kills the innocent, claiming that it is the path to freedom in God.

“The nature of God who has all power, and from whom all power comes, is to lay it aside for love’s sake and thus without fear, force or manipulation to offer true freedom for every human being.”

The head of the Church of England criticised Mr Trump last month for his retweets of the far-right group Britain First.

In an interview days later, he then admitted he was baffled by the support the President enjoyed from fundamentalist Christians in the US.

In similar fashion to the Pope, the archbishop also used his Christmas Day sermon this year to draw comparisons between the Nativity story and the plight of modern day refugees.

He added: "We are drawn to stories of freedom and purpose.

“In Star Wars an abandoned orphan on a desert planet turns into a knight leading the struggle for freedom. Platform 9 and three quarters takes Harry Potter into a world of magic and purpose.

“Not so in the gospel stories, even those of Christmas. Yes, the shepherds see angels. Yes, Mary and Joseph have dreams and are chosen as special people.

“Yet after the moments of miracles life goes on almost as before - the shepherds return to their sheep, Joseph settles back as a carpenter, Mary raises children.

“They flee as refugees, like over 60 million people today. Yet their story is the beginning of ours, it is an invitation to lives of freedom, found through God’s freely offered love.”