President Donald Trump’s posting of an AI-generated image depicting himself as Pope on Truth Social has ignited controversy among Catholics, days before the Vatican’s conclave to select a successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025. The image, shared on Friday and amplified by official White House social media accounts, prompted sharp criticism from Catholic leaders and others, though Trump’s allies defended it as a harmless jest.
The image shows Trump seated in an ornate chair, dressed in white papal vestments, including a cassock and mitre, with a large cross necklace and his right forefinger raised. The post followed Trump’s attendance at Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome and came days after he told reporters, “I’d like to be pope. That’d be my number one choice,” before clarifying he was joking and suggesting Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York as a candidate. The Vatican is set to begin the conclave on May 7 to elect a new pope, a process involving over 100 cardinals, including Dolan, who is not considered a leading contender.
Catholic organizations swiftly condemned the image. The New York State Catholic Conference, representing New York’s bishops, posted on X, “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. We just buried 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.” Cardinal Dolan, speaking to reporters after a Mass in Rome, called the image “not good,” adding in Italian that it made a “brutta figura,” or bad impression. When asked if the White House should remove the post and apologize, Dolan replied, “who knows,” declining further comment.
Other Catholic voices echoed the criticism. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor-at-large for America Magazine, posted on X, “Even though I find this deeply offensive, I will presume that Mr. Trump meant this light-heartedly.” He noted, however, that similar actions by Democratic presidents like Joe Biden or Barack Obama would likely have sparked stronger protests from U.S. bishops. Republicans Against Trump, a conservative group, called the image “a blatant insult to Catholics and a mockery of their faith” on X. Internationally, former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi wrote on X, “This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions and shows that the leader of the global right enjoys being a clown.”
Trump’s defenders downplayed the controversy. Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, responded to a question from Bill Kristol of The Bulwark on X, stating, “As a general rule, I’m fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized Trump’s respect for the Catholic Church, saying, “President Trump flew to Italy to pay his respects for Pope Francis and attend his funeral, and he has been a staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty.” Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) joined the lighthearted tone, posting on X, “Glad to report there is very positive reception and strong momentum for President Trump to be the next Pope,” though he acknowledged “some resistance.”
Public reactions varied. Debbie Macchia, a 60-year-old Trump supporter in West Palm Beach, told The Independent, “He was clearly joking. But I wouldn’t want to see them do anything sacrilegious with the pope, or anything.” Conversely, Democratic activist Harry Sisson labeled Trump a “man-child” on X, while Townhall columnist Dustan Grage dismissed critics, writing, “The Pope picture is actually funny. Calm down, folks,” and suggested many detractors were not Catholic.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to comment during a Saturday briefing focused on the conclave, which follows Pope Francis’s death at 88 from a cerebral stroke and cardiocirculatory collapse. The conclave, a solemn process guided by prayer, will consider candidates like Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and Cardinal Joseph Tobin, though no American has ever been elected pope. Cardinal Dolan, reflecting on the process, told Fox News’s Martha MacCallum, “The Holy Spirit has already chosen the next pope. Your job is to find out who it is.”
The controversy recalls past incidents, such as criticism of then-President Joe Biden for making the sign of the cross at a pro-abortion rally in 2024. Trump, raised Presbyterian but identifying as nondenominational Christian, has maintained ties with Catholic leaders like Dolan, recently naming him to the White House’s Religious Liberty Commission. As the Vatican prepares for the conclave, the image has added a contentious note to the global mourning for Pope Francis.
