Less than two weeks after the passing of Pope Francis, former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to share an AI-generated image of himself depicted as the pope. This playful post has rapidly gained traction online, inviting a variety of responses.

Background and Context

Trump, who recently attended the late pontiff’s funeral in Rome, jokingly suggested his interest in the papacy while clarifying his comments by naming potential candidates for the position. His remark came shortly before the date for the conclave to elect Francis’ successor, set for May 7, 2025.

Reactions to the Post

The AI-generated image and Trump’s comments elicited mixed reactions from the public and media. Some individuals expressed amusement, while others deemed the portrayal offensive. Columnist Dustan Grage defended Trump’s image, suggesting that many critics lacked a religious perspective on humor.

“Memes depicting Trump as Christ have been and always will be called out as blasphemy. The Pope picture is actually funny. Calm down, folks,” Grage articulated.

Conversely, Democratic activist Harry Sisson criticized Trump, labeling his comments childish and indicating a disconnect with serious matters of faith.

Vatican Response

The Vatican maintained a neutral stance following Trump’s post. However, Matteo Bruni, a spokesperson for the Vatican, refrained from directly commenting. In contrast, the New York State Catholic Conference publicly expressed concern, 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.”

In light of these criticisms, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump by noting his respect for the Vatican, highlighting his attendance at the funeral and his advocacy for Catholic rights.

The Search for the Next Pope

As preparations for the papal conclave continue, contenders for the position of pope have been announced, including prominent figures such as Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. Unlike typical electoral processes, the selection of a new pope involves prayerful reflection rather than campaigning.

“Eminences, you’re all scared because you have a tough job to elect the next pope… Let me put your mind at ease. It’s easy. The Holy Spirit has already chosen the next pope. Your job is to find out who it is,” Cardinal Dolan remarked during a recent interview.