Overview

• An AI-generated image of President Trump dressed as the pope, shared on his Truth Social and the White House's X account, has drawn widespread criticism from Catholic leaders.
• Prominent Catholic figures, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the New York State Catholic Conference, condemned the image as offensive, especially during the mourning period for Pope Francis.
• Trump denied responsibility for the image, stating he had no knowledge of its creation and only saw it recently, while his wife Melania reportedly found it 'cute.'
• In response to criticism, Trump dismissed the backlash as originating from the 'fake news media,' asserting that 'the Catholics loved it' despite evidence to the contrary.
• The controversy unfolds as the Vatican prepares for the papal conclave, with Catholic leaders emphasizing the solemnity of the occasion.