In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump shared an artificial intelligence-generated image depicting himself dressed as a pope. This post, made on his Truth Social platform, comes during a solemn period of mourning for Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. Just days before the conclave set to elect his successor, Trump's actions have stirred controversy and drawn criticism from various groups, including Catholic bishops in New York and members of the Italian community.
The image, which features Trump in a white cassock and a pointed miter, has raised eyebrows not only on social media but also within the Vatican. The reaction from the Catholic Church was swift, with the New York State Catholic Conference condemning the post as offensive. In a statement, they expressed, “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.”
Italian media outlets echoed this sentiment, with reports highlighting the image's poor taste, especially during a time of mourning. Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi described the post as “shameful,” arguing that it offends believers and insults important institutions.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni opted not to comment on the incident, but the image's timing coincides with a period of daily Masses in memory of Pope Francis and the impending conclave opening on Wednesday. This event carries significant weight for Catholics worldwide, as the pope is regarded as Christ's vicar on Earth, a sentiment that resonates deeply within Italy.
Despite the backlash, some of Trump's allies defended the former president's post. Jack Posobiec, a well-known far-right influencer, argued that humor is integral to discussions surrounding the upcoming papal election. “I’m Catholic. We’ve all been making jokes about the upcoming Pope selection all week. It’s called a sense of humor,” he wrote on X.
Additionally, Trump himself had previously joked about his aspirations for the papacy, stating, “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice.” This tongue-in-cheek comment drew attention and further fueled discussions about the upcoming conclave.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump, added to the lighthearted commentary by suggesting that the former president could be a “dark horse candidate” for pope. He encouraged the papal conclave to keep an open mind regarding this unconventional possibility. Graham humorously noted, “The first Pope-U.S. President combination has many upsides. Watching for white smoke…. Trump MMXXVIII!”
Furthermore, Trump has voiced support for Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, as a potential candidate for the papacy. However, this endorsement might complicate Dolan's standing among voters in the conclave, where secrecy is paramount to avoid external influences.
As the Catholic Church prepares for the election of a new pope, the implications of Trump's post are amplified by the ongoing tensions between the former president and U.S. bishops, particularly regarding immigration policies. Pope Francis had been vocal in his opposition to the administration's stance on mass deportations, a point of contention that may influence the direction of the Church moving forward.
The conclave represents a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church, especially as it seeks to balance tradition with modern challenges. With figures like Cardinal Pietro Parolin emerging as strong contenders, the outcome of the conclave could significantly impact the Church's future direction and its relationship with political leaders.
As we await the conclave's results, the intersection of politics, religion, and social media continues to spark discussions that resonate far beyond the walls of the Vatican.
