Trump's AI-generated Pope Image Sparks Outrage Ahead of Conclave
President Trump’s AI image of himself as pope provokes backlash amid mournful period for Pope Francis, ahead of May 7 conclave to elect his successor.
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Overview
Days before the papal conclave to elect Pope Francis' successor, President Trump's AI-generated image of himself in papal attire led to widespread criticism. Shared on Truth Social and later by the White House, the image offended many, including Catholic bishops in New York and Italian officials. Critics condemned it during a period of mourning—Francis passed on April 21. Trump's previous remarks about wanting to be pope and endorsing Cardinal Dolan for the role added controversy. Despite backlash, some defended Trump's humor, highlighting conflicts between Trump and the Vatican's stance on immigration.
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President Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as the pope on May 2, just days after jokingly expressing interest in the role and attending Pope Francis' funeral. This came ahead of the Vatican conclave to elect a new pope on May 7.
Reactions varied widely, with some finding the image humorous and others criticizing it as disrespectful to the Catholic Church and insensitive given the recent passing of Pope Francis.
Trump jokingly expressed that his 'number one choice' for pope was himself. He also mentioned New York Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan as a strong candidate, though Cardinal Dolan is not on the shortlist for the role.
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, and the conclave to elect his successor is scheduled for May 7.
The image was initially posted by Trump on Truth Social and later shared by the White House on other platforms. The image attracted criticism from Catholic figures, who deemed it disrespectful during a period of mourning.
History
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