Trump Shares A I Generated Image of Himself as Pope – And Sparks Uproar
Former President Donald Trump has never shied away from making bold, attention-grabbing statements. But his latest move — sharing an A.I.-generated image of himself dressed as the pope — has ignited backlash, especially among Catholics still mourning the death of Pope Francis.
It all started earlier this week when Trump, responding to a reporter’s question at the White House about who he’d like to see as the next pope, gave a typically Trumpian answer: “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice.”
The comment seemed to be a joke — until he took things further on Saturday by posting a photo on Truth Social, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) that showed him in full papal attire: a white cassock, a large cross draped around his neck, and a raised finger as if delivering a sermon. The image, likely created using artificial intelligence, quickly went viral.
While some of his followers found it humorous, the timing and content drew sharp criticism from religious leaders and political figures alike. Millions of Catholics are still grieving the loss of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday. Posting what many viewed as a mockery of the papacy during such a solemn time did not sit well with everyone.
“It’s never appropriate to ridicule or mock the papacy,” said Dennis Poust, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference. “Though the president may not have intended to insult the Catholic Church, it does cause offense — especially now.”
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Poust added that he hoped Trump would come to regret the post, describing it as both shocking and disrespectful.
Michael Steele, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee, didn’t hold back either. He called the image further proof that Trump is “unserious and incapable,” especially during a global moment of mourning.
Still, not everyone was outraged. Some conservative figures were happy to play along with Trump’s joke. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina posted on X: “I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope. The first Pope-U.S. President combination has many upsides. Watching for white smoke … Trump MMXXVIII!”
The Vatican, busy with preparations for the upcoming papal conclave, did not immediately comment on the incident.
This isn’t the first time Trump has embraced A.I.-created content to stir the pot. Back in February, he posted a digitally altered video reimagining the Gaza Strip as a luxury resort branded with his name — a move that was condemned as offensive by officials in the region.
Following his latest papal joke, Trump reiterated that he doesn’t have a favorite in the race to replace Pope Francis. Still, he gave a nod to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, calling him one of his top picks — despite the fact that Dolan isn’t considered a leading candidate heading into Wednesday’s conclave.
Who’s Actually in the Running to Be the Next Pope?
As the College of Cardinals prepares to elect a new leader for the Catholic Church, several names have emerged as front-runners:
- Pietro Parolin: The Vatican’s secretary of state, Parolin is known for his diplomatic skill and bureaucratic steadiness — qualities that might appeal to cardinals looking for continuity.
- Luis Tagle: Sometimes referred to as the “Asian Francis,” this Philippine cardinal aligns ideologically with the late pope. However, critics say he hasn’t taken a strong enough stance on issues like clerical abuse and his country’s war on drugs.
- Matteo Zuppi: An Italian cardinal with a long record of advocacy for the poor and disenfranchised, Zuppi has also taken part in international peace efforts, which could boost his appeal.
- Robert Francis Prevost: Originally from Chicago, Prevost has worked mostly outside the U.S. and is seen as a moderate figure who could bridge divides between conservatives and reformers.
- Jean-Marc Aveline: Based in Marseille, France, Aveline has focused much of his career on fostering interfaith dialogue in a city where cultures, faiths and social issues collide daily.
As the world waits for white smoke to rise from the Sistine Chapel, it’s clear that the Catholic Church faces a historic moment — and one that many believe deserves reverence, not satire.
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