President Donald Trump has come under scrutiny from Catholic figures after posting an AI-generated image depicting himself in papal attire on social media.
The image, which features Trump in a white cassock, gold crucifix, and mitre, appeared on his Truth Social account and was later disseminated by the official White House social media platforms on Friday, May 2, 2025.
The timing of the post has been particularly upsetting to many Catholics, as it came during the mourning period for Pope Francis’ death on April 21, and just days before the cardinals’ conclave on May 7 to elect a new pope. The Vatican concluded the traditional nine-day mourning period, known as “Novemdiales,” following the Pope’s funeral on April 26, which Trump attended in Rome, Italy.
The New York State Catholic Conference, representing bishops in New York, strongly criticized the post on social media, 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.”
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, and one of 133 cardinals participating in the conclave, voiced his disapproval when interviewed by reporters in Rome. “It wasn’t good,” Dolan remarked, adding in Italian that it was a “brutta figura.” When asked about Trump’s involvement with the image, Dolan stated, “I hope he didn’t have anything to do with that.”
Trump’s post follows comments he made last week when questioned about the upcoming papal selection. He joked he would be his own top choice, later clarifying he had no real preference, though he did commend a New York cardinal, presumably referring to Cardinal Dolan.
Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, took a firmer stance, asserting that the image “mocks God, the Catholic Church, and the papacy,” and demanded an apology from Trump. Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, described the image as “a bad joke” and a “sophomoric attempt at humor.”
Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi critiqued the image on social media, stating that it disrespects believers and undermines institutions, while suggesting the leader of the right-wing world enjoys joking around.
Trump dismissed the backlash when questioned on Monday, asserting “the Catholics loved it” and suggesting it was only “the fake news media” that took issue. “I had nothing to do with it,” Trump insisted, explaining that someone else created and shared the image online, which he only saw the previous evening.
Trump mentioned that his wife Melania, a Catholic, “thought it was cute.”
The White House has defended the president, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noting that President Trump attended the funeral in Italy to honor Pope Francis and has consistently supported Catholics and religious freedom.
Vice President J.D. Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, appeared to downplay the issue. When conservative commentator Bill Kristol questioned his stance on the matter, Vance responded that he generally supports humor but opposes unnecessary wars that cause citizens’ deaths.
The Vatican has refrained from officially commenting on the situation. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni avoided addressing questions about Trump’s post during a press briefing on Saturday.
This incident is not the first where a U.S. president has faced allegations of disrespecting Catholicism. Former President Joe Biden, a Catholic, was criticized last year after making the sign of the cross at a pro-abortion rally in Florida.
The papal conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor began on May 7. White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney on May 8, 2025, signaling the election of a new pope. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American prelate born in Chicago, was selected by the College of Cardinals to succeed Pope Francis. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the 267th pope and the first U.S.-born pontiff in Catholic Church history. His election was confirmed on the second day of the conclave and announced with the traditional “Habemus Papam” from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
