US President Donald Trump has stirred controversy after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal attire on May 2, 2025, just days after jokingly expressing his desire to become Pope. While some social media users found humor in the post, others criticized it as highly insensitive, accusing Trump of mocking the death of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, suffered from a stroke and heart failure, according to the Vatican’s official death certificate. Trump was among several world leaders who attended the Pope’s funeral, which was a solemn occasion for many Catholics worldwide. However, Trump’s recent post on social media quickly garnered backlash.
Many users expressed their disapproval, claiming that the image was in poor taste, particularly given the timing following the Pope’s death. One user called the post “disrespectful to the church and God himself,” while another commented, “This is disgusting and entirely offensive.” Some went as far as accusing Trump of narcissism, with one tweet stating, “This is extremely disrespectful and narcissistic. Republicans really voted for that.” Others criticized Trump for mocking the process of selecting a new Pope, with one comment stating, “How disrespectful to Catholics. That is what Trump and his maggots are all about—disrespect and meanness.”
The post was likely influenced by remarks Trump made earlier about the papacy. In a lighthearted conversation with a reporter, Trump was asked who he would like to see succeed Pope Francis. His response was quick: “I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice.” He went on to mention a cardinal from New York, adding that he had “no preference” regarding who would become the next Pope.
Trump’s comment was met with amusement by South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who took to social media to vouch for Trump as the next Pope. Graham tweeted, “I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope. This would truly be a dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind about this possibility!”
Despite the playful nature of his comments, Trump’s recent post has sparked considerable debate and backlash, highlighting the sensitive nature of topics tied to religion and the recent passing of a religious figure like Pope Francis. The White House shared the image on its official X account, generating a barrage of complaints from social media users who found the post offensive, disrespectful, insensitive, inappropriate, embarrassing, and unfunny. Others found it humorous.
The controversial image depicts Trump in a colorized AI-generated representation, with his right index finger pointed towards the sky, wearing papal regalia that includes white robes, a gold crucifix pendant, and the mitre hat. This post comes just days before cardinals are due to start the conclave to elect the successor of Pope Francis. Cardinals will gather on May 7, 2025, in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to elect the new Pope.
When asked who he would like to succeed Pope Francis, Trump reiterated his joke, saying, “I’d like to be Pope, that would be my No.1 choice.” He then mentioned a cardinal in New York who he referred to as “very good,” seemingly alluding to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a theological conservative known for his strong stance against abortion.
Trump’s comments and the subsequent backlash reflect the complex relationship between politics and religion in America. Approximately 20 percent of Americans identify as Catholic, and exit polls indicated that around 60 percent of Catholic voters supported Trump in the November 2024 elections. However, Pope Francis had often been a vocal critic of Trump’s policies, particularly his approach to immigration and border security.
During Trump’s first presidential campaign in 2016, Pope Francis famously remarked, “Anyone, whoever he is, who only wants to build walls and not bridges is not a Christian.” This statement highlighted the moral divide between Trump’s political agenda and the Pope’s vision of inclusivity and compassion.
The upcoming conclave to elect the new Pope is set against this backdrop of political and religious tension. With 133 cardinal-electors convening to choose the 267th Pope and leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, the decision will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the Catholic Church and its relationship with global politics.
As the date approaches, the world watches closely, not just for who will take on the papacy, but also for how this election may reflect the evolving dynamics between faith and politics in contemporary society. The reactions to Trump’s post further underscore the sensitivity surrounding religious figures and the impact of social media on public discourse.
In light of the recent events, it remains to be seen how Trump’s remarks will influence his relationship with the Catholic community and whether this incident will affect his political standing among Catholic voters moving forward. The intertwining of humor, respect, and the gravity of religious leadership continues to be a delicate balance for public figures, particularly in the politically charged atmosphere of today.
