Trump Faces Backlash Over AI Image of Himself as Pope Amid Mourning for Pope Francis

Trump Faces Backlash Over AI Image of Himself as Pope Amid Mourning for Pope Francis.

Trump Faces Backlash Over AI Image of Himself as Pope Amid Mourning for Pope Francis
World News | 04 May 2025

Summary:
The New York State Catholic Conference condemned Trump for what it called a mockery of the faith. The post comes shortly after the former president joked, “I’d like to be Pope.”

US President Donald Trump is facing a wave of criticism after sharing an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope, just weeks after the death of Pope Francis on April 21.

The digitally altered photo, which appeared on official White House social media channels on Friday night, showed Trump in full papal attire—wearing a white cassock, a bishop’s mitre, and a large cross—his finger raised solemnly, mimicking traditional imagery associated with Catholic leadership.

The timing of the post has been particularly controversial, as Catholics around the world mourn the passing of Pope Francis and the Vatican prepares for a conclave to elect his successor. The conclave is set to begin on Wednesday.

The New York State Catholic Conference, representing bishops throughout the state, publicly condemned the image. “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr President,” the group said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “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 intensified following Trump’s recent quip to reporters: “I’d like to be Pope,” made just days before the controversial post. Critics argue that the AI image and his comments are both disrespectful and poorly timed.

Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi joined the criticism, calling the post offensive to the Catholic faith and its institutions. “This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions, and shows that the leader of the right-wing world enjoys clowning around,” he posted on X in Italian.

Despite the outrage, the White House pushed back against accusations of religious mockery. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the post, stating, “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.”

The Vatican, through spokesman Matteo Bruni, declined to comment on the incident during a Saturday media briefing.

Trump is not the first American president to face religious backlash. In 2024, President Joe Biden came under fire after making the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rights rally in Tampa, sparking similar accusations of insensitivity toward the Catholic faith.

Trump Faces Backlash Over AI Image of Himself as Pope Amid Mourning for Pope Francis

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