US President Donald Trump has faced criticism from some Catholics after sharing an AI-generated image depicting himself as the Pope. The image, posted on official White House social media accounts, appeared as Catholics mourned the recent passing of Pope Francis on April 21 and prepared to select the next pontiff. The New York State Catholic Conference accused Trump of disrespecting the faith. The post followed comments he made days earlier to reporters, joking, "I'd like to be Pope. " Trump is not the first US president to face accusations of mocking Catholicism. A year ago, former President Joe Biden sparked outrage when he made the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion access rally in Tampa, Florida. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to comment on Trump’s post during a media briefing on Saturday.

The Vatican is currently preparing to hold a conclave beginning Wednesday to choose Pope Francis’s successor. The image shared by Trump Friday night shows him dressed in a white cassock and wearing a pointed mitre, traditional attire of a bishop. He also dons a large cross on his neck and raises a finger with a serious facial expression. The New York State Catholic Conference, representing bishops in New York, took to X to condemn the image. "There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr President, " the organization 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. "