In an unexpected turn of events, President Donald Trump recently shared an artificial intelligence-produced image depicting himself as a pope. This act coincides with the mourning period for Pope Francis and precedes the conclave to elect the next pope. The image, which appeared Friday night on Trump’s Truth Social platform and was later reposted by the official White House account, has stirred controversy among Catholic communities and the Vatican, which is observing a solemn period of mourning since Pope Francis passed away on April 21.
The passing and subsequent election of a pope carries immense significance within the Catholic Church, with the pope regarded as the earthly representative of Christ. This sentiment is particularly pronounced in Italy, where the institution is held in high regard. As cardinals gather to celebrate Masses and prepare for the conclave on Wednesday, Trump’s image in a white cassock and bishop’s miter led to widespread criticism. Both Italian and Spanish media decried it as an example of poor taste, especially during an official mourning period.
Matteo Renzi, a former Italian Premier known for his left-leaning stance, labeled the image as disgraceful, noting that it disrespects believers and institutions alike. His criticism also extended to the broader political implications, highlighting economic concerns in the U.S. and blaming the so-called “sovereignists” for exacerbating such issues. Meanwhile, the Vatican has refrained from commenting on the matter.
A similar sentiment was expressed by the New York State Catholic Conference, which represents bishops in interacting with government figures. The group accused Trump of making a mockery of the solemn occasion, emphasizing the gravity of the conclave and the need for respect during such times.
In response to the backlash, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, defended President Trump’s actions, claiming he had traveled to Italy to honor Pope Francis and had consistently supported Catholic values and religious freedom. Supporting this view, Jack Posobiec, a known right-wing influencer, argued that the image was meant humorously and aligned with a spirit of light-heartedness surrounding the upcoming selection of a new pope.
This incident follows a previous comment by Trump joking about his aspirations to become pope, despite his non-Catholic background and history of three marriages. Trump allies like Senator Lindsey Graham joined the jest, humorously proposing Trump as a papal candidate and urging the conclave to remain open-minded to this novel idea.
Further extending the humor, Vice President JD Vance, who was among the last foreign dignitaries to meet Pope Francis, suggested that Secretary of State Marco Rubio add the title of pope to his extensive list of roles.
Trump has also shown support for Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York as a potential successor, albeit ambiguously. On the other hand, experts note that the conclave’s secrecy aims to prevent external influence, a sentiment formalized through the saying, “If you enter a conclave as pope, you leave as a cardinal.” This implies that excessive promotion can backfire, potentially weakening a candidate’s chances.
During his presidency, Trump had contentious relations with U.S. bishops and Pope Francis, especially concerning immigration policies and deportation practices. Pope Francis, during his time, focused on reforming the U.S. Catholic leadership to emphasize social justice and migration issues, contrasting with Trump’s more hardline views. The upcoming election might see a potential shift if a more conservative pope is elected, reversing some of Francis’ policies.
In another strategic move, Trump appointed Brian Burch from Catholicvote.org as a nominee for ambassador to the Holy See. This organization has been actively involved in covering events leading up to the conclave at the Vatican, including sharing unsubstantiated and denied reports about Cardinal Pietro Parolin’s health, a leading candidate and central figure behind the Vatican’s controversial 2018 agreement with China over bishop appointments.