President Donald Trump faced widespread criticism after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope on his Truth Social platform and the White House’s official X account during the official mourning period for Pope Francis, who died on April 21. The timing intensified backlash from Catholic organizations, Italian media, and political figures who saw the image as disrespectful and offensive, interpreting it as a mockery of the solemn transition following the pope’s death. The New York State Catholic Conference explicitly condemned Trump for making light of an important religious moment. The Vatican remained silent, adhering to its usual policy of avoiding direct involvement in political controversies, but Italian politicians and newspapers strongly denounced the act as tasteless and self-promotional, highlighting the deep cultural and religious sensitivities in Italy, home to the Vatican. Despite the condemnation, Trump and his supporters defended the post. Trump described the image as humorous and appeared indifferent to the widespread outrage. Supporters like Senator Lindsey Graham dismissed the criticism as exaggerated, emphasizing the place of humor in politics, while influencer Jack Posobiec labeled the backlash as politically motivated rather than genuine grievance. Trump further fueled controversy by joking about his own papacy ambitions and endorsing Archbishop Timothy Dolan as a potential pope, actions that unsettled many given the secretive and protocol-driven nature of the papal conclave, the process for selecting the new pope. Such comments were viewed as inappropriate external interference in a traditionally private religious process. These incidents have exacerbated Trump’s already strained relationship with the Catholic hierarchy.

Pope Francis has publicly criticized Trump’s immigration policies, fueling tensions between Trump’s base and the Vatican. Meanwhile, Trump’s nominee for ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, has been active in conservative Catholic media, offering commentary aligned with traditionalist Catholic views, contrasting with the current Vatican leadership’s approach. The episode demonstrates challenges posed by emerging technologies like AI in political and religious contexts. Using AI to blend political figures with religious imagery, especially during sensitive times, can spark controversies and deepen existing divisions. Trump’s post not only intensified tensions with the Catholic Church amid a period of mourning and transition but also reflected broader concerns about how political figures engage with deeply sacred religious symbols and institutions. Observers widely agree that public figures should exercise greater respect and sensitivity in such matters. Furthermore, the backlash highlights the powerful role of social media platforms—such as Trump’s Truth Social and mainstream outlets like X—in amplifying contentious issues. These platforms allow political figures to bypass traditional media filters, directly engaging large and polarized audiences, which can shift public discourse but also provoke strong reactions when cultural or religious boundaries are crossed. In summary, President Trump’s sharing of an AI-generated image depicting himself as the pope during Pope Francis’s mourning period triggered extensive criticism from Catholic groups, Italian authorities, and commentators who found it offensive and ill-timed, especially amid the upcoming papal election. While Trump and his allies defended the post as a joke, the incident has deepened tensions between his political circle and the Catholic Church, underscoring the delicate balance required when political messaging intersects with religious reverence in a digital age of fast-evolving technology.