LOGIC.co.id – U.S. President Donald Trump stirred controversy after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal attire on his Truth Social platform on Friday (May 2, 2025). The post came during the official mourning period following the death of Pope Francis and just days before the Vatican’s conclave to elect a new pope.
The image, which was later reposted by the official White House account on X (formerly Twitter), drew widespread criticism from religious leaders and the public, particularly in Italy and the United States.
Reactions from the Vatican and Catholic Leaders
Trump's image, which shows him wearing a white robe and a bishop’s mitre, appeared as the Catholic Church was observing its nine-day official mourning period. The conclave to select Pope Francis’s successor is scheduled for Wednesday (May 7, 2025).
Many Catholic figures viewed the post as disrespectful to the sanctity of the mourning period and the papacy itself, which is held in high regard not only by the faithful but also by much of the secular public in Italy.
According to AP News (Sunday, May 4, 2025), the image was even raised as a topic during the Vatican’s daily press briefing on the conclave, held on Saturday (May 3, 2025). Media outlets in Italy and Spain labeled the act as offensive and poorly timed.
Backlash from Political Figures and Global Media
Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, a left-wing politician, called the image shameful and disrespectful. In a post on X, he wrote:
“This image insults believers, disrespects institutions, and reflects how right-wing leaders trivialize serious matters.”
Renzi also took the opportunity to criticize the U.S. economy, stating it is on the verge of recession, while attention is being drawn to what he considers a distraction.
In the U.S., the New York State Catholic Conference, representing Catholic bishops, released a strongly worded statement:
“There is nothing humorous about this image, Mr. President. We have just buried our beloved Pope Francis, and our cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to choose the next successor to Saint Peter. Please, do not mock us.”
Italian newspaper La Repubblica ran the image on its Saturday front page, labeling Trump as suffering from “pathological megalomania”—a delusional belief in one’s own greatness or power.
White House Response
In response to mounting criticism, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified on Sunday (May 4, 2025) that President Trump did not intend to insult anyone. According to her, the image was meant as a light-hearted joke about the upcoming papal election.
“President Trump meant no disrespect. It was simply a humorous take on the upcoming conclave,” Leavitt told BBC.
She added that Trump, a practicing Catholic and staunch advocate of religious freedom, had traveled to Italy to attend Pope Francis’s funeral and pay his final respects.
On X, Leavitt wrote, “All week long, people have been joking about who the next Pope will be. It’s called humor.”
However, Trump’s own comments during a public appearance on Tuesday raised further eyebrows. Referring to Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, Trump joked:
“I might be the number one pick.”
The remark came just before introducing Dolan, one of ten American cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave. Critics argued that such a joke was inappropriate, considering the conclave is conducted in strict secrecy and must remain free from secular interference.