In a recent controversy, some Catholic leaders and at least one prominent U.S. Catholic group have voiced their criticism of President Trump following his social media post featuring what appears to be an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself dressed as the pope. Trump shared the image on his Truth Social account on Friday night, and it was quickly reposted by the White House on its official X account.
Trump's post comes shortly after his visit to the Vatican, where he attended the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88. The timing of the image is particularly sensitive, as the papal conclave to elect the next pope is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, heightening the emotional atmosphere among Catholics worldwide.
The image in question depicts Trump wearing the traditional white cassock of the pope, adorned with a gold cross and the iconic papal hat, known as a mitre. This portrayal has sparked outrage among many, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, who has maintained a friendly relationship with Trump. In a statement to journalists in Rome, Dolan expressed his hope that Trump was not involved in the creation of the image. When asked about his feelings regarding the post, Dolan remarked that it "wasn't good."
The New York State Catholic Conference took to X to express their displeasure, stating, "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." This statement underscores the sense of mourning and seriousness surrounding the recent loss of Pope Francis.
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois also weighed in on the matter via a Facebook post, stating that by sharing the image, Trump "mocks God, the Catholic Church, and the Papacy." He emphasized that the image was particularly offensive during this time of mourning for Catholics and the impending papal conclave, asserting that "President Trump owes an apology to Catholics and all people of good will."
As of Sunday morning, the White House had not immediately responded to requests for comment from NPR. However, the Associated Press reported that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump, highlighting that he traveled to Italy to pay his respects to Pope Francis and attend his funeral. Leavitt reiterated that Trump has been a strong advocate for Catholics and religious liberty.
Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, shared his thoughts on social media, indicating that while he generally supports humor, he is opposed to "starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen." This statement reflects the broader sentiment within certain circles of the Catholic community regarding the appropriateness of Trump's actions in light of recent events.
The backlash from Catholic leaders highlights the sensitive nature of religious imagery and the importance of respect during periods of mourning and transition within the Church. As the papal conclave approaches, the discourse surrounding Trump's controversial post continues to unfold.
