Just days after joking that he’d love to become the next Pope, US president Donald Trump doubled down on the gag by posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed head to toe in papal robes.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump had quipped, “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice,” before name-dropping Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York as another contender, adding, “We’ll see what happens.”
Then on Saturday, he took the joke further, posting the AI image on Truth Social showing himself in white vestments, a mitre and ornate cross.
The post quickly went viral, sparking laughter, outrage and no small amount of confusion online.
Trump attended Pope Francis’s funeral last week, marking his first foreign trip since returning to power. Around 20% of Americans are Catholic, and most voted for Trump in November. Pope Francis was a vocal critic, once saying Trump’s border wall plan showed he was “not a Christian,” favoring division over unity.
“Anyone, whoever he is, who only wants to build walls and not bridges is not a Christian,” Francis had said.
The Catholic Church is currently preparing for a conclave set to begin on May 7, following the death of Pope Francis earlier this month. The College of Cardinals will convene in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new leader for the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide
Who are the contenders to succeed Pope Francis?
As the Catholic Church approaches the upcoming conclave, several cardinals are considered potential successors to Pope Francis. These individuals, known as papabile, are recognized for their theological acumen, leadership qualities, and alignment with the Church’s direction.