NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump stirred controversy by posting an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself dressed as the pope. This occurred during the mourning period for Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025. The timing of Trump's post, which was shared on Truth Social and later reposted by the White House on its official X account, drew significant criticism both in the United States and abroad, particularly among Catholic bishops in New York and the Italian community.

The image depicted Trump in a white cassock and a miter, the traditional hat worn by bishops. It received backlash from various quarters, especially since the Vatican is currently observing nine days of mourning following the pope's death. Catholic cardinals have been holding daily Masses to honor his memory and are set to begin the conclave to elect his successor on Wednesday. The pope holds immense significance for Catholics, symbolizing Christ's vicar on Earth, a sentiment especially strong in Italy.

During a Vatican briefing, Italian and Spanish media lamented the image's poor taste, describing it as offensive during a time of mourning. Former Italian Premier Matteo Renzi expressed his views, labeling the image as shameful and offensive to believers and institutions alike. He criticized Trump's antics at a time when economic concerns in the U.S. are pressing, questioning the priorities of right-wing leadership.

The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, chose not to comment directly on the situation. However, the New York State Catholic Conference, representing bishops in their government interactions, accused Trump of mockery and condemned the image as inappropriate, stating, “Do not mock us.” Italian publication La Repubblica characterized Trump's actions as a reflection of “pathological megalomania.”

In response to the backlash, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Trump had attended Pope Francis' funeral and emphasized his support for Catholics and religious liberty. Trump ally Jack Posobiec defended the president, stating that humor around the pope's selection was common among Catholics, suggesting that Trump's image was part of lighthearted banter during the mourning period.

Adding to the noise, Trump had previously joked about his interest in becoming pope, saying it was his “number one choice.” This flippant comment was echoed by Sen. Lindsey Graham, who humorously suggested that Trump would be a “dark horse candidate” for the papacy, urging the conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind. Vice President JD Vance joined in the jest, joking about Secretary of State Marco Rubio potentially becoming pope as well, indicating a trend of lighthearted commentary from Trump’s close associates.

Besides joking about himself, Trump expressed support for Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, mentioning that Dolan was “very good” and a potential candidate. However, this endorsement could potentially hurt Dolan's chances due to the secrecy traditionally upheld during conclaves, which aim to prevent outside influences. The longstanding adage regarding papal elections supports the notion that campaigning for the role may lead to unfavorable outcomes for the candidate.

Trump's relations with U.S. bishops, particularly with the late Pope Francis, have been strained over various issues, notably immigration policies. Francis was vocally critical of the administration’s approach to immigration, providing significant context for their contentious relationship over the years. Trump appointed as his ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch, associated with a conservative Catholic group that has been actively covering the Vatican's pre-conclave developments.

The conclave to elect a new pope is pivotal, particularly as cardinal Pietro Parolin, a key figure in Pope Francis' tenure, is viewed as a leading contender. Parolin's policies, particularly the Vatican's China strategy, notably faced criticism during Trump's time in office, providing further layers to the ongoing conversation regarding influence and direction within the Church."

___ Winfield reported from Vatican City.