President Donald Trump has drawn criticism from Catholic leaders after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope on social media.
The image, depicting Trump in traditional papal garments such as a white cassock, gold crucifix, and mitre, appeared on his Truth Social account and was subsequently shared by the official White House social media platforms on Friday, May 2, 2025.
Many Catholics expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of the post, as it came following the mourning period for Pope Francis’ death on April 21, and just days before the cardinals were set to enter the conclave on May 7 to elect his successor. The Vatican had concluded the traditional nine-day mourning period, known as “Novemdiales,” after the Pope’s funeral, which Trump attended on April 26 in Rome, Italy.
The New York State Catholic Conference, representing bishops in New York, issued a statement on social media, saying: “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.”
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York and one of the 133 cardinals participating in the conclave, expressed his disapproval in Rome, saying, “It wasn’t good,” and added in Italian that it was a “brutta figura,” meaning a bad or embarrassing impression. When asked if Trump was responsible for the image, Dolan responded, “I hope he didn’t have anything to do with that.”
The post followed remarks made by Trump last week about the selection of a new pope, saying he would be his top choice, though he later clarified he had no actual preference. He mentioned a cardinal from New York, likely referring to Cardinal Dolan, calling him “very good.”
Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, criticized the image, stating it “mocks God, the Catholic Church, and the papacy” and called for Trump to apologize. Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, described it as “a bad joke” and a “sophomoric attempt at humor.”
Matteo Renzi, former Prime Minister of Italy, also criticized the image on social media, noting it disrespects believers, undermines institutions, and suggests the leader of the right-wing world enjoys making light of serious matters.
When asked by reporters on Monday about the backlash, Trump dismissed the criticism, claiming “the Catholics loved it” and suggesting it was only “the fake news media” who took issue with the post. “I had nothing to do with it,” Trump said, explaining that someone created and shared the image online, and he had no involvement in its creation. He speculated it was generated by AI and mentioned seeing it for the first time the previous evening.
Trump added that his wife Melania, who is Catholic, “thought it was cute.”
The White House has defended the president, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that President Trump traveled to Italy to honor Pope Francis by attending his funeral and has consistently supported Catholics and religious freedom.
Vice President J.D. Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, appeared to downplay the controversy. When conservative commentator Bill Kristol questioned Vance about the respect for the Holy Father, the vice president replied that he generally supports humor but opposes initiating unnecessary wars that result in significant loss of life.
The Vatican has not officially commented on the matter. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to address questions about Trump’s post during a briefing with journalists on Saturday.
This is not the first instance of a U.S. president facing allegations of disrespecting the Catholic faith. Former President Joe Biden, a Catholic himself, was criticized last year for making the sign of the cross at a pro-abortion access rally in Florida.
The papal conclave, where cardinals will be sequestered to vote for Pope Francis’ successor, began on May 7. The process typically lasts a few days and concludes when white smoke emerges from the Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating a new pope has been elected.
