Former President Donald Trump recently stirred the pot by sharing an AI-generated photo of himself dressed as the pope. This entertaining post came just days after he expressed a lighthearted desire to be the next pope while speaking to reporters. The image, which features Trump in elaborate papal vestments, was first uploaded on his social media platform, Truth Social, and later shared by the official White House social media account.
This playful post arrives at a pivotal moment, as cardinals from around the globe prepare to gather in Vatican City to elect a successor to Pope Francis, who recently passed away at the age of 88. The AI-generated image depicts Trump seated in an ornate chair, adorned in white papal attire and a ceremonial headdress, with a finger raised in a gesture reminiscent of a pontiff's blessing.
During a press briefing outside the White House, Trump humorously remarked, “I’d like to be pope. That would be my No. 1 choice.” Although he stated he had no real preference about the selection of the new pope, he commented positively on Timothy Cardinal Dolan, the archbishop of New York. Trump noted Dolan's capabilities, hinting at the potential for a U.S. cardinal to play a significant role in the future of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas, passed away due to complications from a stroke that led to irreversible heart failure, as detailed in a Vatican-issued death certificate. Both Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended Francis' funeral last week, where Trump had a notable meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This meeting preceded a significant agreement between Ukrainian and U.S. officials, which includes plans for the United States to access rare earth minerals from Ukraine.
The AI-generated image has elicited mixed reactions on social media. While some users found humor in the post, others voiced their disapproval. Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele criticized Trump’s post, asserting it reflects a lack of seriousness and capability. The New York State Catholic Conference condemned the image, stating, “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis.”
Supporters of Trump, like Debbie Macchia, defended the post, emphasizing that it was clearly meant as a joke. However, Macchia expressed concern over potential sacrilege associated with the image. As the Vatican prepares to enter a solemn conclave on May 7 to elect the next pope among 133 cardinals, the atmosphere remains charged with significance.
As reactions continue to pour in, CBS News has reached out to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for their perspective on this controversial AI-generated image. This incident marks yet another occasion where Trump and the White House have utilized AI-generated imagery, raising questions about the appropriateness and implications of such representations in the context of serious religious matters.
