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Ferdinand | PoliticsGhana | May 4 |Trump Draws Global Backlash Over AI Image of Himself as Pope Amid Vatican’s Search for Francis’ Successor
Donald Trump sparks outrage among Catholics and world leaders after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope, days ahead of the Vatican conclave to elect a new pontiff.
As the Catholic Church mourns the passing of Pope Francis and prepares for a historic conclave to elect his successor, US President Donald Trump has stirred global controversy by posting an AI-generated image depicting himself as the Pope. The post, shared through official White House social media channels late Friday, May 2, 2025, has drawn swift backlash from religious leaders, politicians, and Catholic faithful worldwide.
The image features Trump in full papal regalia—donning a white cassock, a bishop’s miter, and a large cross—striking a solemn pose with his finger raised. The timing of the post, coming less than two weeks after Pope Francis’ death on April 21 and just days before the conclave begins, has led many to interpret it as insensitive and even sacrilegious.
The New York State Catholic Conference, representing Catholic bishops across New York, was among the first to denounce the post. In a sharp rebuke on X (formerly Twitter), the group wrote:
“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 intensified when Italian political figure and former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi condemned the post as offensive and inappropriate.
“This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions, and shows that the leader of the right-wing world enjoys clowning around,” Renzi wrote in Italian.
Trump, who has previously made quips about religious leadership—including a recent joke to reporters saying, “I’d like to be Pope”—has once again found himself at the center of a culture war between faith, politics, and technology. The use of AI-generated imagery to depict religious figures or symbols has raised ethical questions, especially when involving current world leaders.
When questioned about the post during a Vatican press briefing, spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to comment, instead shifting focus to the upcoming conclave, which begins Wednesday. The conclave will see cardinals from around the world gather in Rome to elect the next spiritual leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics.
Meanwhile, the White House has pushed back on accusations of irreverence. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt released a statement defending the president’s intentions, saying:
“President Trump flew to Italy to pay his respects to Pope Francis and attend his funeral. He has been a staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty. The AI image was meant to reflect the seriousness with which he regards the Catholic Church, not mock it.”
Despite the administration’s attempt to downplay the backlash, critics argue that the incident underscores a growing problem in political communication—blurring the lines between satire, self-promotion, and faith during sensitive moments.
This isn’t the first time a US president has come under fire for behavior deemed disrespectful to the Catholic Church. Last year, then-President Joe Biden faced criticism from conservatives for making the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally in Florida.
As the conclave nears, focus in the Vatican and across the Catholic world remains on Pope Francis’ legacy and the future direction of the Church. However, the AI image scandal serves as a reminder of how rapidly evolving technologies—and the public figures who wield them—can influence global discourse in deeply personal and spiritual domains.
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