New York’s Catholic bishops have strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope.
The image, shared on his Truth Social account, shows Trump in traditional papal white robes, a gilded mitre, and a papal cross. This post came shortly after the death of Pope Francis and as the Catholic Church prepared for a solemn conclave to elect a new pope.
Bishops Speak Out Against the Image
The New York Catholic Conference of Bishops, which is led by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, responded with a scathing statement on X (formerly Twitter).
They stated, “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President,” and expressed their anger at the mockery of the papacy, especially in the wake of Pope Francis’ death.
The bishops pointed out the solemnity of the moment, as cardinals were preparing to enter a conclave to elect a new successor to St. Peter, following the passing of Pope Francis.
They made it clear that such a post was deeply disrespectful, especially at a time of mourning for the Catholic community.
Trump’s Reaction to Pope Francis’ Death
While President Trump, a non-Catholic, posted the image on Friday, he had earlier commented on who he thought should replace Pope Francis. Trump joked that he should be the one to take over the position, but later suggested that New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan could be a good choice.
Dolan, the leader of New York’s bishops, has long been an ally of Trump and has even delivered prayers at both of Trump’s presidential inaugurations.
However, Cardinal Dolan has yet to publicly comment on the image posted by Trump, despite the condemnation from the bishops. In the past, Dolan has praised Trump for taking his Christian faith seriously, but it’s unclear if he will address the issue directly.
The Controversy Surrounding the Post
Many social media users have expressed their disapproval of Trump’s post, labeling it as offensive to Catholics. Michael Steele, a former chair of the Republican National Committee, criticized Trump, stating that the post reveals his immaturity and inability to take serious matters seriously.
Similarly, Morgan J. Freeman, a film producer, expressed that the post was a “massive insult” to Catholics, Pope Francis’ family, friends, and the cardinals who would soon gather to choose the next pope.
The Background: Pope Francis’ Relationship with Trump
Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday after a stroke, was known for his criticism of Trump, particularly over his stance on mass deportation policies.
At the funeral of Pope Francis, where Trump and his wife Melania attended, the homily seemed to subtly reference the Pope’s disapproval of Trump’s policies. This only adds to the tension between the two figures, with Trump’s post now further amplifying this divide.
Vice President JD Vance’s Defense
Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert, was asked on social media about his feelings regarding Trump’s controversial post. Vance defended the image, dismissing the criticism as overblown.
He attacked Bill Kristol, a political commentator, for his “neoconservative” views and stated that he was fine with people joking but opposed those who started wars that resulted in the deaths of thousands. Vance’s defense of Trump’s actions only fueled the ongoing debate about the appropriateness of the post.