Trump provokes outrage with AI pope image amid mourning
- President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope, which was posted on official White House social media accounts.
- The post drew criticism from Catholic leaders and others, who felt it was disrespectful during the mourning period for Pope Francis.
- Critics expressed that Trump's actions were mocking the faith and highlighted the need for sensitivity in political discourse, especially concerning religious figures.
In the United States, President Donald Trump has recently drawn significant criticism after sharing an AI-generated image depicting himself as the Pope. This controversial image was posted on social media just as the Catholic community was mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025. The timing of Trump's post, which occurred shortly before the conclave to elect Francis's successor, was particularly provocative. The New York State Catholic Conference, among other critics, accused Trump of mocking the Catholic faith, saying, 'There is nothing clever or funny about this image.' The New York bishops expressed their dismay at the insensitivity shown during a period of solemn mourning and preparation for a historic event within the Church. Additionally, the image featured Trump in traditional papal attire, including a white cassock and miter, and was shared by official White House channels, raising eyebrows both in the U.S. and at the Vatican. As Catholic cardinals held daily Masses in honor of the deceased Pope and prepared for the conclave set to begin soon, both the religious community and various political figures condemned Trump's actions. Left-leaning Italian politician Matteo Renzi criticized the image as offensive to believers and emphasized the seriousness of the ongoing papal transition. He noted, 'This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions and shows that the leader of the right-wing world enjoys clowning around.' The Vatican's spokesman, Matteo Bruni, did not respond to inquiries regarding Trump's post, reflecting the delicate state of the Church's leadership transition. The White House defended Trump's actions, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt asserting that the president had shown respect for Pope Francis by attending his funeral and supporting religious liberty. However, criticism continued to mount as various media outlets, including Italy’s La Repubblica, labeled the incident as an example of 'pathological megalomania.' Certain Trump supporters attempted to downplay the backlash, framing Trump's post as an attempt at humor regarding the papal selection process. As the political and religious worlds reacted to the situation, the implications of Trump's lightheartedness at a time of mourning were questioned, underscoring the divisive nature of his presidency and its impact on societal norms surrounding respect and decorum towards religion. Overall, Trump's AI image sparked not only outrage but also a broader conversation about the intersection of politics and faith, particularly in the context of an important event for the Catholic Church. The reactions highlighted the sensitivities surrounding religious representation and the responsibilities of public figures, especially during moments of loss and transition for the faithful.