US President Donald Trump is facing backlash from Catholic leaders and international figures after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope on official White House social media channels.
The digitally-created image shows Trump wearing a white cassock, a pointed bishop’s mitre, and a large cross necklace. His right index finger is raised in a gesture resembling a papal blessing. The post, made late Friday, comes as the Catholic Church mourns the passing of Pope Francis, who died on 21 April, and prepares for a conclave to choose his successor.
The image drew immediate condemnation from the New York State Catholic Conference, which represents the state’s bishops. “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr President,” the group posted on X. “We just buried our beloved Pope Francis… Do not mock us.”
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni declined to comment during a briefing in Rome on Saturday, while New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, known for his past cordial relationship with Trump, said he “didn’t like the image” and called it a brutta figura – an Italian phrase meaning an embarrassing display.
The White House, however, defended the post. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “President Trump flew to Italy to pay his respects to Pope Francis and attend his funeral. He remains a staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty.”
Trump has previously made headlines for his comments about the papacy. Just last week, he told reporters, “I’d like to be Pope,” sparking further speculation about the motive behind the AI image.
Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was also among the critics, saying the image “offends believers, insults institutions, and shows that the leader of the right-wing world enjoys clowning around.”
The post continues to draw global criticism, with religious and political leaders urging the White House to apologise and take down the image.
