An image generated by the AI of President Donald Trump dressed when the Pope is attracting criticism of some Catholics after it was published on social networks a few days before the papal conclave selects the next pontiff that begins in Rome.
The image, which was shared on Trump’s social networks and in the official White House account on Friday night, shows an image generated by the president with papal clothes and sitting on a throne.
The White House published an image generated by Trump AI with papal clothes and sitting on a throne, which faced a violent reaction from the members of the Catholic community.
ABC News
The journalists asked Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the New York archbishop, about Sunday’s image after finishing a service in a church in Rome. In his response, Dolan used Italian words, “Brutta Figure”, which means that the post was shameful.
“I hope you had nothing to do with that. It was not good. As the Italians say, it was Brutta figure (embarkation).”
The Catholic Conference of the State of New York also expressed indignation for the image, saying “there is nothing intelligent or fun in this image, Mr. President.”
The American cardinal Timothy Dolan spoke with journalists after a massive service in Rome on May 4, 2025.
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“We have just built our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to choose a new successor of San Pedro. They do not make fun.” conference He said on Saturday.
Father James Martin, ABC’s papal collaborator, said in “This Week” Sunday “, people were surprised and thought it was an incredibly poor taste, but here in Rome more people are worried about the next Pope than the current president.”
Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, denied that the position was offensive. When conservative commentator Bill Kristol wrote in X: “Hi, @jdvance, are you okay with this lack of respect and mockery of the Holy Father?” The vice president He replied“As a general rule, I am fine with the people who say jokes and are not right with people who start stupid wars that kill thousands of my compatriots.”
Pope Francis’s coffin is in front of the dignitaries, including President Donald Trump, center, during his funeral in the Plaza de San Pedro in the Vatican, on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Cecilia Fabiano/AP
When asked to respond to criticism, the White House Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said President Trump “flew to Italy to present his respect for Pope Francis and attend his funeral, and has been a firm champion of Catholics and religious freedom,” according to The Association press.
The process to choose the next Pope will begin on Wednesday, May 7, according to the Vatican.
Camilla Alcini of ABC News contributed to this report.
