US President Donald Trump ignited controversy on Saturday after posting an AI-generated image depicting himself as the new Pope. The image, shared on his Truth Social platform, showed Trump in traditional papal robes, complete with a mitre and golden crucifix, seated on a papal throne with his finger raised. The post quickly garnered over 12,000 reactions and was later reposted by the White House’s official X account.
The timing of the post drew particular attention, coming just days after the death of Pope Francis at age 88. Trump, when asked by reporters about the papal succession, had joked, “I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice,” further fueling discussion around the image.
Public reaction was swift and divided. Many Catholics and social media users condemned the post as disrespectful, especially as the Catholic community mourns the late pontiff. “Please take this down,” pleaded one user. “Many Catholics, myself included, find this as a great disrespect to the past and future leader of our church.” Others described the image as a mockery of a sacred institution.
Trump also faced criticism for his conduct at Pope Francis’ funeral last week, where he was seen wearing a blue suit and chewing gum during the ceremony. Some commentators called his actions and the AI post inappropriate during a period of mourning.
The incident has sparked a wider debate about the use of AI in political satire and the boundaries of public figures’ behavior, especially during sensitive times. As the conclave to select a new pope continues, the controversy underscores the challenges of navigating respect, technology, and public discourse in 2025.
