In a controversial move that has drawn ire from various quarters, former President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope on his Truth Social platform late on May 2, 2025. This post came just days after he made a light-hearted comment expressing a desire to become the next pope, following the recent death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on April 26, 2025.
The image, which depicts Trump in traditional papal vestments and headdress, was shared by the official White House account on X (formerly Twitter) the following day, igniting a wave of criticism. Many viewed the post as inappropriate, especially considering that the Catholic Church is in a period of mourning for the late pontiff and is preparing for a conclave to elect a new pope starting May 7, 2025.
Republicans against Trump, a group that identifies as "pro-democracy conservative Republicans fighting Trump & Trumpism," condemned the image as "a blatant insult to Catholics and a mockery of their faith." They reposted the image with this statement, highlighting the offense taken by many within the Catholic community.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, during a press briefing about the upcoming papal election, declined to comment on the image, indicating the sensitivity of the situation. Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi also weighed in, calling the image "shameful" and stating, "This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions and shows that the leader of the global right enjoys being a clown." Renzi emphasized that while the American economy faces challenges, such as a potential recession, Trump seems more focused on humor than serious issues.
The backlash continued with comments from various church leaders. Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, stated that Trump should apologize for the post, labeling it "deeply offensive to Catholics, especially during this sacred time that we are still mourning the death of Pope Francis." He added, "Make no mistake: God is not mocked. The Pope is the Vicar of Christ. By publishing a picture of himself masquerading as the Pope, President Trump mocks God, the Catholic Church, and the Papacy." This sentiment was echoed by the New York State Catholic Conference, which remarked, "There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President."
Despite the outcry, some defended Trump’s post as a harmless joke. Joshua Mercer, vice president of CatholicVote, a right-leaning political advocacy organization, argued that "Trump’s joking meme depicting himself as the pope was obviously intended to be humorous." He noted that memes of famous people as the pope have been circulating on social media, suggesting that the image was part of a broader trend rather than a personal affront.
In response to the criticism, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump, stating that he had flown to Italy to pay his respects to Pope Francis and attend his funeral. She characterized Trump as a "staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty," attempting to shift the narrative to his support for the Catholic community.
On the ground, reactions varied among Trump's supporters. Debbie Macchia, a supporter in West Palm Beach, remarked, "He was clearly joking. Clearly joking," while acknowledging that she wouldn’t want to see anything sacrilegious associated with the papacy.
The incident is reminiscent of a previous AI-generated image that Trump posted in mid-February 2025, where he was depicted wearing a crown with a caption that read, "CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!" This earlier post also attracted attention but did not provoke the same level of outrage.
In the wake of this latest controversy, some commentators have noted that Trump's approach to humor often straddles the line between jest and offense. Robert Schmuhl, a professor emeritus of American studies at the University of Notre Dame, commented, "Donald Trump has a strange sense of humor," suggesting that his intentions may not always align with public perception. He referenced Trump's previous comments about resolving the Ukraine war quickly, which were also said in jest, questioning the appropriateness of using humor in such serious contexts.
As the Catholic Church prepares for the conclave to elect a new pope, the timing of Trump's post has raised concerns about the respect and decorum expected during such a significant event. The election of a new pope is not only a religious matter but also a moment of great importance for millions of Catholics worldwide, who are currently in mourning.
In this charged atmosphere, Trump's actions have sparked a broader discussion about the intersection of politics, religion, and humor in the public sphere. While some see it as a light-hearted jest, many others perceive it as a serious offense that undermines the sanctity of the papacy and the mourning process for Pope Francis.
In summary, Trump's AI-generated image of himself as the pope has provoked a significant backlash from both political and religious leaders, highlighting the delicate balance between humor and respect in public discourse. As the world watches the unfolding events surrounding the papal conclave, this incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in navigating the intersection of faith and politics.
