Trump faces backlash after posting AI image dressed as pope

Donald Trump, the president of the United States, has received criticism after posting a photo that he created using artificial intelligence to depict himself as the pope days before a conclave to choose the next pontiff.

Trump, who is not a Catholic and regularly attends church, posted the photo on his Truth Social platform less than a week after attending Pope Francis’ funeral service, which took place last month at the age of 88. The White House then reposted it on its official X account.

In the image, a man with a raised right forefinger sits in a ostentatious chair, ished up in papal vestments, and posing in a headdress.

Just days before cardinals are scheduled to begin the conclave to choose the replacement of Pope Francis, Trump joked to reporters this week that he wanted to be the next pope.

pic.twitter.com/x2HrR939tn

When asked who he wanted to take over from Francis, Trump responded, “I’d like to be pope, that would be my number one choice.

Trump continued, saying that he had no preference for certain people but that a certain cardinal was “very good.”

He appeared to be referring to Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, who is a theological conservative who is fiercely opposed to abortion.

“blatant insult to Catholics”

Republicans against Trump, a group that describes itself as “pro-democracy conservative Republicans fighting Trump & Trumpism,” were quick reactions to the irreverent posting, though. The group republished the photo, calling it “a mockery of Catholics and a blatant insult to them” (p.

The picture was subjected to severe criticism from the New York State Catholic Conference, which claims to represent state bishops in collaboration with the government.

In a post on X, it stated, “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President.”

The cardinals are about to convene a solemn conclave to choose a new St. Peter’s successor, and we just buried our beloved Pope Francis. Do not make fun of us.

During a press briefing about the selection of a new pope, which will take place on May 7, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said he would not comment on the image.

Matteo Renzi, the former prime minister of Italy, wrote on X: “This image offends believers, insults institutions, and demonstrates how much the global right enjoys being a clown.” The American economy is in danger of recession, and the dollar’s value is falling.

The image, which read “pathological megalomania,” was also featured on the left-leaning La Repubblica in Italy on Saturday, along with a statement on its website.

President Trump has been a steadfast supporter of Catholics and religious liberty, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt when asked about responding to the criticism.

Pope Francis, who had arguably been one of the most powerful moral critics of Trump, was unquestionably one of the most powerful in the world.

Francis was unfaithful in his campaign pledge to erect a border wall to encircle Mexico when Trump first ran for president in 2016.

Anyone, whoever they are, who only wants to construct walls and not bridges is not a Christian, Francis had declared to the media.