TRUMP FACES CRITICISM AFTER POSTING AI IMAGE DRESSED AS POPE

U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked controversy among Catholic leaders, after sharing an AI-generated photo of himself dressed as the pope just days before the upcoming conclave to elect a new pontiff.

Trump, who is not Catholic posted the image on his Truth Social platform late Friday. This came shortly after he attended the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away last month at 88. The White House later reposted the image on its official X account.

The digitally altered picture portrays a stern-faced Trump seated in an elaborate chair, wearing traditional white papal robes and a headdress, with his right index finger raised in a gesture reminiscent of religious blessings.

The post followed a recent remark by Trump in which he jokingly told reporters that he aspired to become the next pope. When asked who should succeed Pope Francis, he said, “I’d like to be pope that would be my number one choice.” His comments came just before cardinals were set to gather for the papal conclave.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to comment on the matter during a press briefing about the papal election process, set to begin on May 7.

Meanwhile, former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi criticised Trump on X, calling the image “an insult to believers and institutions playing the clown.” He added, “At the same time, the U.S. economy faces recession risks, and the dollar weakens.”

The New York State Catholic Conference, which acts on behalf of the state’s bishops in governmental matters, strongly condemned the image. In a post on X, the group stated, “This image is neither clever nor amusing, Mr. President. We have just laid our beloved Pope Francis to rest, and the cardinals are preparing for a sacred conclave to choose St. Peter’s successor. Do not ridicule our faith.”