Trump Sparks Controversy with AI Pope Image Amid Mourning for Pope Francis
NEW YORK (AP) — Just days before the conclave to elect a new pope, former President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope, stirring backlash from Catholics and Italian media.
“There is nothing clever or funny about this image,” stated the New York State Catholic Conference.
Trump posted the image on Truth Social, later reshared by the White House on X, as the Vatican observes a nine-day mourning period following Pope Francis’s death on April 21. Critics labeled the move “tasteless” and accused Trump of mocking Catholic tradition.
Italian media, including La Repubblica, denounced the image as “pathological megalomania,” while former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi called it “shameful.”
“This offends believers and insults sacred institutions,” Renzi added.
Trump, who attended Francis’ funeral, jokingly suggested he’d like to be pope and even endorsed Cardinal Dolan of New York for the role.
The Vatican remained silent, but the controversy underscored long-standing tensions between Trump and Catholic leadership, especially on immigration and social justice issues.
Have you tried crying about it?
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) May 3, 2025
Shouldn’t you guys care more about getting rid of pedophiles in the catholic churches instead of worrying about a joke?
— 50 Trump (@Real50Trump) May 3, 2025
