Trump’s AI Pope Image Sparks Outrage Ahead of Vatican Conclave
Trump’s AI Pope Image stirred controversy Friday night as President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated photo of himself dressed as the Pope, while the Vatican continues nine days of mourning for Pope Francis. The image—featuring Trump in a white cassock and bishop’s miter—was posted on Truth Social and later reshared by the official White House X account.
Image Shared During Official Mourning for Pope Francis
The post drew swift backlash, including from the New York State Catholic Conference, which accused Trump of mocking a sacred moment in the Catholic Church. “There is nothing clever or funny about this image,” the group stated. “We just buried our beloved Pope Francis.”
Criticism Mounts in the U.S. and Italy
The reaction wasn’t limited to the U.S. Italian and Spanish media labeled the image “offensive and in poor taste,” while left-leaning former Premier Matteo Renzi called it “shameful,” accusing Trump of clownish behavior during a time of solemnity.
At the Vatican, reporters questioned officials about the image during the daily briefing on the upcoming conclave. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to comment.
Trump, who attended Pope Francis’ funeral on April 26, joked last week about wanting to be pope, telling reporters, “That would be my number one choice.” His comment—and now the AI image—fueled further criticism, especially given that Trump is not Catholic and has a strained relationship with many in the Church hierarchy.
Political Jokes, Vatican Tensions, and Dolan’s Dilemma
Sen. Lindsey Graham and VP JD Vance also joked about Trump’s interest in the papacy, with Graham encouraging Catholics to keep “an open mind” about Trump as a “dark horse candidate.” Trump even floated Cardinal Timothy Dolan as a possible choice, though many believe his endorsement could hurt Dolan’s chances due to the conclave’s strict rules against external influence.
While conclaves are highly secretive to prevent political meddling, Trump’s actions highlight ongoing tensions between his administration and Catholic leaders—especially over immigration policies and social justice priorities championed by Pope Francis.
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