Donald Trump has faced backlash for sharing an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope, just days before the Vatican’s gathering to elect a new Catholic Church leader. The image, posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform, shows him seated in an ornate chair wearing white papal vestments and a headdress, with his right forefinger raised towards heaven.
The post drew immediate criticism, with Republicans Against Trump calling it “a blatant insult to Catholics and a mockery of their faith.” The Catholic bishops of New York state also expressed their displeasure, stating, “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr President. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St Peter. Do not mock us.”
Former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi condemned the image, saying it “offends believers, insults institutions and shows that the leader of the global right enjoys being a clown.” Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni declined to comment on the matter during a briefing about the process of electing a new pope.
The controversy comes after Trump attended Pope Francis’s funeral last month, where he was among world leaders paying their respects. Trump jokingly said he would be his own first choice to become the next pope, before mentioning Cardinal Timothy Dolan as a “very good” candidate.
This is not the first time Trump has been criticized for AI-generated images. In February, he and the White House social media accounts posted an image depicting him wearing a crown, with the caption “LONG LIVE THE KING!” Local resident Debbie Macchia, reacting to the latest meme, said, “He was clearly joking… But I wouldn’t want to see them do anything sacrilegious with the pope, or anything.”
The incident has sparked debate about the use of AI-generated content and its potential to offend religious groups. The Catholic Church begins its process of electing a new pope on May 7.
