In a characteristically bold and humorous move, U.S. President Donald Trump set social media abuzz on Friday after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope. The image, shared on his Truth Social platform, shows Trump in full papal regalia—white robes, golden crucifix, and the traditional mitre hat—pointing skyward with a confident smile.
The post followed a joke Trump made earlier in the week when asked by reporters which cardinal he would like to see succeed the late Pope Francis. In his usual tongue-in-cheek fashion, Trump responded, “I’d like to be pope, that would be my number one choice.”
This lighthearted quip comes just days before the Vatican’s College of Cardinals convenes for a conclave set to begin on May 7 to elect a new pontiff. Pope Francis died on April 21 after a prolonged illness, ending a decade-long papacy known for its global influence, climate advocacy, and vocal critiques of populist nationalism.
While Trump’s post has sparked laughter and memes among supporters, it also stirred controversy in more conservative and religious corners. Some critics accused the former president of disrespecting the sanctity of the papacy, while others saw it as yet another example of Trump’s media-savvy brand of political theater.
Despite the tongue-in-cheek tone, the image adds another layer to Trump’s ongoing efforts to engage the Catholic demographic—a significant voting bloc in U.S. politics. According to exit polls from the last election, nearly 60% of American Catholics voted for Trump.
Trump’s relationship with the Vatican and Pope Francis had long been strained. During Trump’s first run for office in 2016, Pope Francis famously rebuked his border wall policy, stating, “Anyone who only wants to build walls and not bridges is not Christian.”
Trump responded by calling the pope’s comments “disgraceful,” marking a rare public spat between a U.S. presidential candidate and the leader of the Catholic Church.
However, in a symbolic gesture of diplomacy, Trump attended Pope Francis’ funeral last week—his first official trip abroad since regaining office in 2025.
In the same conversation where he joked about being pope, Trump referenced a “very good” cardinal in New York—likely Cardinal Timothy Dolan—who is known for his conservative theological views and opposition to abortion. Dolan is considered a contender in the upcoming conclave, though no clear front-runner has emerged.
As the Vatican prepares for its most significant leadership transition in a decade, global attention is shifting to Rome. The conclave, which takes place in the Sistine Chapel, will include 120 eligible cardinals from around the world.
The AI-generated image of Trump as the Pope is not his first brush with digitally crafted satire. Over the years, he has been the subject of numerous deepfakes, memes, and manipulated images. This time, however, the former president took control of the narrative, using the spoof image to both entertain and provoke—a strategy that has consistently worked in his favor.
As the conclave nears and Catholics worldwide await the announcement of a new spiritual leader, Trump’s latest move reminds the world of one thing: no moment is too sacred for satire when it comes to the showmanship of Donald J. Trump.