The New York State Catholic Conference has strongly criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump for posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope. The bishops described the act as deeply insensitive, especially following the recent death of Pope Francis.
In a post shared on Saturday via X (formerly Twitter), the Catholic bishops expressed their disapproval, saying, “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.”
The controversial photo, which first appeared on Trump’s Truth Social account and was later reposted by the White House’s official X handle, shows Trump wearing papal garments—flowing white robes, a golden crucifix, and a mitre—while raising one finger toward the sky. The digitally manipulated image has caused a wave of reactions, ranging from amusement to outrage.
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This comes at a sensitive time for Catholics worldwide. The Catholic Church is currently preparing to elect a new pope following Pope Francis’s death on April 21. Many online users and religious groups found the AI-generated image of Trump as pope disrespectful during this period of mourning.
The situation escalated when Trump’s earlier comments resurfaced. Speaking to reporters days before the conclave, Trump jokingly said, “I’d like to be pope, that would be my number one choice,” when asked who he hoped would become the next pontiff.
His remark and the image together have sparked accusations of religious insensitivity and mockery. The incident has added to ongoing debates over the use of artificial intelligence in media and politics, especially when it involves sacred traditions.
Trump was present at Pope Francis’s funeral, marking his first official international appearance since returning to the political spotlight.
AI-generated image of Trump as pope continues to trend across platforms, with critics calling it disrespectful and poorly timed. The AI image of Trump in papal attire has reignited calls for clearer ethical standards when using artificial intelligence in public posts.
As debates continue, the Catholic bishops’ response to Trump’s AI pope image serves as a reminder of the boundaries between humor and religious reverence.
