President Donald Trump has sparked outrage by sharing an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope on official White House social media accounts. Posted on Friday night, just days after the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, the image comes at a time of deep mourning and anticipation as the Vatican prepares for a conclave to elect the next pontiff.
Trump’s AI-Generated Pope Image Sparks Outrage Among Catholics
Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump has ignited controversy with an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope, shared via official White House social media accounts on Friday night. The post, which comes as the Catholic world mourns the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, has drawn sharp criticism from Catholic leaders, who accuse the president of mocking their faith during a time of solemn reflection.
The image depicts Trump in a white cassock and pointed miter, traditional papal attire, with a large cross necklace and a raised finger, striking a somber pose. The timing of the post, just days before the Vatican’s conclave to select Pope Francis’s successor begins on Wednesday, has intensified the backlash. The New York State Catholic Conference, representing New York’s bishops, condemned the image on X, stating, “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. 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 controversy follows Trump’s recent quip to reporters, “I’d like to be Pope,” which many Catholics found inappropriate given the gravity of the moment. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, when pressed about the image during a Saturday briefing, declined to comment, focusing instead on preparations for the upcoming conclave.
This is not the first time a U.S. president has faced accusations of disrespecting Catholic sensibilities. In 2024, former President Joe Biden sparked outrage when he made the sign of the cross at a pro-abortion access rally in Tampa, Florida, an act many Catholics deemed sacrilegious. Trump’s latest move, however, has struck a particularly raw nerve as the global Catholic community grieves and anticipates the election of a new pontiff.
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the image or the criticism it has provoked. As the Vatican prepares for a historic transition, Trump’s social media stunt has added an unexpected layer of tension to an already somber moment for Catholics worldwide.