Trump Posts AI Pope Image, Sparks Vatican Reactions Online/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as the pope, just days ahead of the Vatican’s conclave to elect a new pontiff. The post, made on Truth Social, drew mixed reactions and followed a joke Trump made about wanting the role himself. While clearly tongue-in-cheek, the moment has gone viral during a solemn transition in the Catholic Church.
Trump’s Papal Meme Quick Looks:
- Trump posted AI image of himself as pope on Truth Social
- Occurred days after Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome
- Trump quipped: “I’d like to be pope — my top choice”
- Later endorsed Cardinal Timothy Dolan as a serious candidate
- Reactions ranged from humorous to outraged, especially online
- Critics called the meme disrespectful, supporters dismissed backlash
- The Vatican’s conclave to elect a new pope begins May 7
- Trump now identifies as a nondenominational Christian
Deep Look: Trump’s AI Pope Post Goes Viral Ahead of Papal Conclave
WASHINGTON (Fox/AP) – President Donald Trump has never shied away from provocative social media posts, but this week he sparked a fresh wave of attention by sharing an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope, just days before the Vatican convenes to elect a new one.
Posted on Truth Social on Friday, the image shows Trump clad in traditional papal regalia with the caption implying he could be a spiritual leader as well as a political one. The post quickly went viral, sparking both humor and outrage in equal measure.
A Joke or a Jab?
The meme comes on the heels of Trump’s recent trip to Rome, where he attended the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. During a press interaction earlier this week, Trump joked:
“I’d like to be pope. That’d be my number one choice,” he said, before clarifying that he was kidding and naming Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan as a serious option.
Trump, who was raised Presbyterian, has since identified as a nondenominational Christian.
The Meme That Sparked a Firestorm
The AI-generated photo — showing Trump in a white cassock and adorned with the papal miter — was shared with no caption beyond his usual handle. Within hours, social media lit up:
- Supporters laughed it off: “It’s just Trump being Trump,” one follower wrote.
- Critics called it tone-deaf: Democratic activist Harry Sisson slammed the post, calling Trump a “man-child.”
- Columnist Dustan Grage defended it, saying “Calm down, folks. It’s actually funny.”
Trump has previously faced backlash for AI or meme imagery, including portrayals of himself as Christ-like figures, which many called blasphemous.
Vatican Prepares for May 7 Conclave
While Trump’s meme drew headlines, the Catholic Church is preparing for a pivotal moment. Cardinals from around the world will gather in Vatican City on May 7 for the conclave to elect the next pope. The process is solemn, grounded in prayer, and carried out with secrecy and reverence.
“You’re all scared because you have a tough job to elect the next pope,” recalled Cardinal Dolan, citing advice given during the last conclave in 2013. “But the Holy Spirit has already chosen him. Your job is to find out who it is.”
Top Contenders for the Papacy
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, former Manila Archbishop
- Cardinal Peter Erdo, of Hungary
- Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, of Congo
- Cardinal Raymond Burke, U.S. conservative voice
- Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, seen as a bridge-builder
While Trump has no say in the process, his commentary reflects his penchant for injecting himself into global headlines, even amid religious transitions.
Political Theater or Digital Satire?
Political analysts suggest Trump’s papal meme is a blend of satirical self-promotion and calculated messaging, designed to capture attention in a media-saturated environment.
“The meme may be irreverent, but Trump knows his audience — and how to dominate the news cycle,” said political media analyst Christine Walker.
As the Vatican enters its most sacred process, the meme may fade — but the questions it raises about digital imagery, religious sensitivity, and Trump’s boundary-pushing media strategy are likely to linger.
