Amid global mourning following the passing of Pope Francis, former U.S. President Donald Trump has drawn widespread condemnation from Catholic leaders after sharing an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal attire. The digitally altered photo, posted to Trump’s Truth Social account and later reshared by the official White House X account, depicts him wearing full papal regalia—white robes, a mitre, and a golden crucifix—with one finger raised in a blessing-like gesture.
The New York State Catholic Conference, which represents the Catholic bishops of the state, issued a strong rebuke Trump AI image of Pope. In a statement posted to X.com, 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 post comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Catholic Church, just two weeks after the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. The Vatican is currently preparing for the conclave where cardinals from around the world will gather to choose the next pontiff. Many faithful around the world have entered a period of mourning and prayer, making Trump’s post appear not just ill-timed, but deeply offensive to many in the Catholic community.
Adding to the controversy, Trump had joked earlier in the week, saying:
“I’d like to be pope, that would be my number one choice,”
when asked which candidate he supported for the papacy.
While Trump made no formal endorsement, he referred to “a very good” cardinal in New York—widely speculated to be Archbishop Timothy Dolan, a conservative cleric known for his strong pro-life advocacy and support of traditional Catholic doctrine.
Trump also made headlines for attending Pope Francis’s funeral, marking his first formal international appearance since reentering office earlier this year. Though some viewed his attendance as a diplomatic gesture, others interpreted it as a calculated move to position himself as sympathetic to the global Christian community ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Critics argue that the AI-generated image, while possibly intended as satire, crosses a line by trivializing a sacred institution. The Vatican has not issued a formal statement, but internal sources told La Repubblica that senior clerics were “deeply troubled” by the image and its timing.
Digital manipulation and AI-generated political content have become a rising concern in modern politics, particularly in the context of misinformation and propaganda. This incident adds to the growing debate about the ethical boundaries of AI usage in political communication.
“This isn’t just a matter of taste. It highlights how quickly AI can be used to create provocative, disruptive imagery that can erode respect for institutions.”
The backlash from Catholic leaders, particularly those in the United States, underscores the tension between Trump’s often confrontational style and institutional religious bodies. Some commentators believe this could alienate religious moderates who otherwise align with Trump on policy issues but are uncomfortable with his irreverent tone.
Meanwhile, social media responses to the image have been sharply divided. While some of Trump’s supporters applauded the post as humorous and bold, others—particularly Catholics—found it sacrilegious and inappropriate during a time of mourning.
Interior critics within the Republican Party have reportedly advised the Trump campaign to tone down AI-generated and meme-based content, especially when touching on sensitive religious or cultural issues. However, no official response has been released from the Trump administration regarding the Catholic bishops’ statement.
As the world watches the Vatican prepare for its next spiritual leader, the controversy surrounding Trump’s AI pope image has reignited conversations about respect, timing, and the role of technology in shaping public discourse. For many, it serves as a reminder that while artificial intelligence can entertain and provoke, it must be wielded responsibly—especially by those in positions of power.