Trump dressed as Pope: AI image fuels controversy and mockery

U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked controversy among members of the Catholic community after sharing an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope.

The image, posted through official White House social media accounts, comes at a particularly delicate time, as Catholics worldwide mourn the passing of Pope Francis, who died on April 21, and prepare for the upcoming conclave to select the next pontiff.

The AI-generated image showed Trump wearing the traditional white papal robe, a bishop’s miter, and a large cross around his neck.

He posed with a solemn facial expression and one finger raised in a typical blessing gesture.

Many viewed the image as distasteful, especially given the timing and the recent loss of the leader of the Catholic Church.

The New York State Catholic Conference, which represents Catholic bishops across the state, criticized Trump’s post harshly.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the group wrote: “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.”

The backlash follows a comment Trump made days earlier, in which he joked to reporters, “I’d like to be Pope,” further fueling criticism that he was making light of Catholic traditions and sacred symbols.

This incident isn’t the first time a U.S. president has been accused of disrespecting the Catholic faith.

President Joe Biden, himself a practicing Catholic, faced backlash last year after making the sign of the cross at a pro-abortion rights rally in Tampa, Florid.

This was an action that many Catholics found inappropriate given the Church’s stance on the issue.

Some criticism of Trump’s image came from international figures as well.

Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, a prominent liberal politician, condemned the post in strong terms.

Writing in Italian on X, Renzi said the image offended religious believers and disrespected important institutions.

According to him, it also portrayed Trump as someone who enjoys making a mockery of serious matters.

The Vatican has not officially commented on the image.

During a media briefing on Saturday, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to respond to questions about the post, as the Vatican prepares for the upcoming conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor.

The conclave is set to begin on Wednesday and will involve cardinals from around the world gathering to choose the new leader of the Catholic Church.

Amid the criticism, the White House defended the president’s actions.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to the backlash by emphasizing Trump’s respect for the Catholic faith.

She noted that Trump had traveled to Italy to attend Pope Francis’s funeral and reiterated his longstanding support for religious freedom and Catholic causes.

“President Trump flew to Italy to pay his respects to Pope Francis and attend his funeral, and he has been a staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty,” Leavitt said.

Officials also pointed out that the image was not meant to mock the Church but rather was a symbolic post.

Nonetheless, the reaction has highlighted the sensitivities surrounding religious imagery.

This is particularly in a moment of mourning and spiritual reflection for millions of Catholics.

The situation also raises questions about the use of artificial intelligence in political messaging, particularly when it intersects with religious symbolism.

Critics argue that such content can easily be misinterpreted and cause offense, especially when shared by public figures with wide influence.

As preparations for the papal conclave continue, many in the Catholic community have called for greater sensitivity from political leaders around the world.

With emotions still raw following the death of Pope Francis, Trump’s social media post has added to a growing concern about the blending of politics, technology, and religious symbolism in the public sphere.

While Trump’s allies may view the image as harmless or even humorous, many Catholics and observers reportedly see it as poorly timed and inappropriate.

They underscored the need for more thoughtful engagement with religious audiences during moments of significance.

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