May 3, 2025 | Washington, D.C. — In the latest swirl of political controversy, U.S. President Donald Trump is under fire for posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal robes shortly after the death of Pope Francis. While some online supporters hailed it as humorous, many across social media deemed the act “disrespectful” and “narcissistic.”
The Controversial AI Image
Trump shared the image on Truth Social, showing himself clad in full papal attire, complete with a mitre and gold-trimmed robe. The post came just days after he joked about wanting to be the next pope. Critics swiftly condemned the image, accusing Trump of mocking the solemn moment of mourning within the Catholic Church.
“This is disrespectful to the Church and God himself… he’s literally the antichrist,” one user posted.
Others echoed similar sentiments, calling the move offensive to Catholic traditions and processes. “This is extremely disrespectful and narcissistic,” another user commented. “Republicans really voted for that.”
Pope Francis’ Passing and Global Reactions
Pope Francis, aged 88, died last month following complications from a stroke and heart failure. His funeral in Rome saw world leaders, including Trump, in attendance. The Vatican reported that the pope passed away a day after Easter Sunday due to cardiac arrest compounded by double pneumonia.
As the Church prepares to elect its next pontiff, the image posted by Trump has stirred both laughter and outrage across religious and political circles.
Trump Jokes About Being Pope
In a viral clip captured shortly after the funeral, Trump responded to a reporter asking about a potential successor to Pope Francis with the remark, “I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice.”
Though he later offered a more serious take, mentioning New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan as a possible candidate, the initial comment fed into the narrative that Trump was trivializing a deeply spiritual process.
Support from Senator Lindsey Graham
Adding fuel to the debate, Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted, “This would truly be a dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind about this possibility!”
Graham even joked about “watching for white smoke,” a traditional sign of a papal election, adding “Trump MMXXVIII!” to his post, referring to a fictitious papal coronation year.
Outrage and Religious Sensitivities
The controversy once again highlights the tension between the use of AI in politics and respect for religious sentiments. Many have argued that even if the image was meant as a joke, it was poorly timed and failed to consider the global mourning for the late pontiff.
As the Catholic Church prepares for the secretive conclave involving 135 cardinals, including Dolan, to elect the next pope, Trump’s foray into religious satire has raised eyebrows and fueled debates on decorum, digital ethics, and faith.
The Catholic Church is now looking for a new spiritual head. Very soon, around 135 Catholic cardinals will enter a secret conclave to choose the next pope. Never before has there been a pope from the US.
Dolan is part of the Archdiocese of New York, and was appointed as the Archbishop of New York by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. He attended the 2013 conclave that resulted in Francis’ election.
Francis died at the age of 88, just a day after Easter Sunday, following a prolonged battle with double pneumonia. The Vatican later announced that he died of a stroke and cardiac arrest.
Conclusion
Whether viewed as a joke gone wrong or another calculated political move, Trump’s AI papal image has sparked global conversations. As social media reacts and the Church moves forward, the incident underscores the importance of sensitivity in the digital age, especially when faith and politics intersect.
