Donald Trump has drawn criticism from some Catholics after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope.
The image, shared on official White House social media accounts, comes as the Catholic world mourns the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. Preparations are under way for a conclave to elect his successor.
The New York State Catholic Conference, which represents bishops in the state, condemned the post, accusing Trump of mocking the faith. The image appeared just days after he told reporters, "I'd like to be Pope."
Trump is not the first US president to be accused of offending Catholic sensibilities. Last year, former president Joe Biden sparked controversy after making the sign of the cross at a pro-abortion rally in Tampa, Florida.
During a press briefing on Saturday, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to comment on Trump’s post. The Vatican will begin the conclave to choose the next pontiff on Wednesday.
(Trump was raised in Presbyterian faith, and publicly identified with it for most of his adult life. However, in October 2020, Trump declared that he now considered himself a non-denominational Christian.)
The AI-generated image shows Trump wearing a white cassock and pointed mitre—traditional papal garments—along with a large cross and a solemn expression, his finger raised as if in benediction.
The New York State Catholic Conference criticised the image in a statement posted on X: "There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr President," it wrote. "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."
Left-leaning former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi also condemned the post, calling it offensive and disrespectful.
"This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions, and shows that the leader of the right-wing world enjoys clowning around," Renzi wrote in Italian on X.
However, the White House denied that the president was mocking the papacy. "President Trump flew to Italy to pay his respects to Pope Francis and attend his funeral, and he has been a staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty," said the White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt.
