U.S. President Donald Trump has posted an AI-generated image depicting himself wearing papal robes, resembling the Pope.
The picture, which Trump posted on his Truth Social account Friday night, shows him in full papal regalia, resembling the late Pope Francis, who passed away in April following a stroke and heart failure.
President Trump, who was among the global dignitaries that attended the funeral of Pope Francis, has not made any official statement clarifying the motive behind the image.
However, the post has been met with strong reactions, with many accusing him of insensitivity and disrespect toward the Catholic Church and its traditions.
“This is disgusting and entirely offensive,” one user wrote. Another added, “This is disrespectful to the church and God himself… he’s literally the antichrist.”
Several others viewed the act as a mockery of Catholic rituals and the mourning process. “How dare you mock the process we Catholics go through to pick a new pope,” a user lamented on X
Some critics went further to call the image narcissistic and politically charged.
“This is extremely disrespectful and narcissistic. Republicans really voted for that,” another post read.
The Vatican has yet to comment on Trump’s post.
Meanwhile, the Holy See recently announced that the conclave to elect a new pope will begin on Wednesday, May 7.