Overview

• President Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal attire on Truth Social, which was later shared by the White House, garnering over 67 million views.
• The image, depicting Trump in a white cassock, mitre, and golden cross while simulating a blessing, was released just days after Pope Francis’s funeral and ahead of the May 7 conclave to elect a new Pope.
• The New York Catholic Conference and several U.S. cardinals condemned the image as disrespectful, accusing Trump of mocking the faith during a period of mourning.
• Trump previously stated he would make a ‘great Pope’ and expressed support for Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a U.S. prelate participating in the upcoming conclave.
• The Vatican has not officially commented on the controversy, but the incident highlights tensions between U.S. political actors and the Church’s global leadership.