Critics lambast Donald Trump for producing an AI-generated image depicting the Pope
Hangin' with the Holy Father: Trump's Controversial Pope-style Selfie 🚀
A couple of days before the Vatican's Conclave, where the future Pope will be chosen, Donald Trump posted a photo on his Truth Social platform, donning papal attire. The striking portrait, shared by the White House, sparked quite the ruckus! 🔥
The AI-crafted color image depicts Trump, wearing a white papal cassock, miter, and flaunting a hefty gold cross necklace. Sitting regally, he points his index finger skyward, projecting an air of authority and mystery. 👇
As the U.S. President has dominated media waves since his return to the Oval Office in January 2025, this eyebrow-raising photo caught attention early in the week. He joked about potentially becoming the lead man for the 1.4 billion strong Catholic flock, a religious minority in the States. 😜
When asked about Pope Francis' successor, he quipped, "I'd love to be pope. That'd be my first pick!" 😃
The papal likeness on social media received backlash for its disregard towards the late Pope Francis. The Catholic Conference of New York declared, "Mr. President, there's nothing funny about this image. We're still mourning our dear Pope Francis as the cardinals prepare for the Conclave." 🤔
Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul of New York echoed the sentiment, expressing offense on behalf of herself and Catholic citizens across the globe. 💫
The day before Pope Francis' death, he received Vice President J.D. Vance, a converted Catholic and staunch conservative, two months after Francis slammed the Trump administration's immigration policies. 🤝
Francis warned about an impending crisis, stating it would start badly and end badly. Nearly 20% of Americans identify as Catholic, with exit polls indicating they voted around 60% in favor of Donald Trump during November elections. 📊
With the Conclave starting on May 7, 133 cardinals from around the world gather at the Vatican to elect a new Pope. These prelates, aged under 80, will choose Francis' successor behind closed doors.
- The controversial selfie posted by Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform displayed him in papal attire, mimicking the style of the pope, causing a commotion and sparking discussion on social media.
- The image, shared by the White House, showcased Trump wearing a white cassock, miter, and a gold cross necklace, similar to those worn by the Pope, and he was seen pointing his index finger skyward, projecting authority and mystery.
- As Trump's presence in media waves persisted since his return to the Oval Office in January 2025, this attention-grabbing photo gained traction early in the week, with Trump humorously suggesting he could become the leader of the 1.4 billion strong Catholic flock.
- However, the papal likeness received backlash for its insensitivity towards the late Pope Francis, with the Catholic Conference of New York stating there was nothing funny about the image and expressing their continuing mourning for the pope as the cardinals prepared for the Conclave.
- The General News was filled with speculation regarding the upcoming Conclave, where 133 cardinals, aged under 80, would gather at the Vatican to elect a new Pope, hoping to avoid the political and social controversies surrounding the previous administration's immigration policies.
