Controversial image emerges online: an AI-generated photograph depicting former President Trump as the Pope, sparking widespread indignation.

In a sarcastic move that sparked ire, Former President Donald Trump posted a digitally created image of himself donning papal attire just days after the passing of Pope Francis and ahead of the Catholic Church's selection of a new leader.

Trump, who is not a Catholic and seldom attends religious services, shared this irreverent photograph on Truth Social, followed by the White House's repost on its official Twitter account. The image, displaying an unamused Trump seated on an ornate chair, adorned in white vestments and headdress, drew an immediate backlash on Twitter, including from Republicans critical of Trump. 'Pro-democracy Conservative Republicans Fighting Trump & Trumpism', a Republican group, swiftly denounced the posting, labelling it an "insult to Catholics" and a "mockery of their faith."

Matteo Bruni, Vatican spokesperson, refused to comment on the image during a press briefing regarding the election process of a new pope, set to commence on May 7.

Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi criticized the stunt, commenting that Trump "enjoys being a clown" on Twitter. He stressed concerns about the instability of the American economy and declining dollar value, sidelining Trump's controversial antics.

Local Catholic leaders echoed the sentiments, with the Catholic bishops of New York State expressing their disappointment on Twitter. Their statement read, "There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. We've just lost our beloved Pope Francis, and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us."

Trump had jokingly claimed on Tuesday that he would be his preferred choice to become the pope, before mentioning New York City's Cardinal Timothy Dolan as another promising candidate. Dolan, however, is not among the frontrunners for the top position. American Cardinal Joseph Tobin, archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, is a potential contender [1][2].

Previously, Trump and the official White House social media accounts posted a different AI-generated image in mid-February, depicting the president wearing a crown and proclaiming, "CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!" Debbie Macchia, a Jewish supporter of Trump, defended the pope post as a joke, yet urged caution against sacrilegious actions related to the pope or Catholic Church [3].

The posting of a digitally created image of Former President Donald Trump donning papal attire, poking fun at the passing of Pope Francis, was swiftly denounced by 'Pro-democracy Conservative Republicans Fighting Trump & Trumpism' as an "insult to Catholics" and a "mockery of their faith."
Local Catholic leaders, including the Catholic bishops of New York State, also expressed their disappointment with Trump's stunt, stating that there is nothing "clever or funny" about the image given the solemn circumstances surrounding the election of a new pope.
Matteo Bruni, Vatican spokesperson, chose not to comment on the image during a press briefing, focusing instead on the election process of a new pope, set to commence on May 7.
Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi criticized Trump's antics, stating on Twitter that Trump "enjoys being a clown" and sidelining his controversial actions amid concerns about the instability of the American economy and declining dollar value.
Despite jokingly claiming that he would be a suitable choice to become the pope, Trump's name does not appear among the frontrunners for the top position. American Cardinal Joseph Tobin, archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, is a potential contender for the papal role.