In a surprising turn blending satire with social media spectacle, former U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred controversy after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope. This comes just days after he jokingly floated the idea of becoming the next leader of the Catholic Church.
During a media interaction on Wednesday, Trump remarked, “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice,” humorously suggesting Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York as another possible contender. Keeping the joke alive, Trump on Saturday shared an AI image on his Truth Social platform, showing himself adorned in white papal robes, a mitre, and a cross.
The digitally altered post quickly gained traction online, drawing mixed reactions ranging from amusement to criticism and confusion.
Trump’s papal jest follows his recent attendance at Pope Francis’s funeral his first overseas trip since resuming political activities. Approximately 20% of Americans identify as Catholic, a group that largely supported Trump in the last election. During his papacy, Pope Francis had openly criticized Trump, particularly his plan to build a U.S.–Mexico border wall, stating, “Anyone, whoever he is, who only wants to build walls and not bridges is not a Christian.”
Following the death of Pope Francis earlier this month, the Catholic Church is preparing for a conclave to begin on May 7. The College of Cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope for the Church’s 1.4 billion followers.
Potential Successors to Pope Francis
As the conclave approaches, several high-ranking cardinals are being viewed as frontrunners to become the next Pontiff. These papabile—those considered “pope-able”—reflect various theological, regional, and ideological perspectives within the global Church.
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy): The Vatican’s Secretary of State, Parolin is a veteran diplomat with significant influence in global Church affairs. He has overseen key negotiations, including agreements with China.
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): Once Archbishop of Manila and now a top official in the Dicastery for Evangelization, Tagle is admired for his pastoral style and communication skills. His election would mark the first Asian Pope.
- Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Congo): The Archbishop of Kinshasa and leader of the African bishops’ conference, Ambongo is a strong voice for social justice and environmental concerns, representing Africa’s growing influence in the Church.
- Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy): As the Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Zuppi is known for advocating peace and supporting marginalized communities, aligning closely with Pope Francis’s legacy.
- Cardinal Péter Erdo (Hungary): The Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Erdo is a leading conservative figure and canon law expert, promoting doctrinal continuity and traditional values.
The conclave’s outcome is expected to shape the Church’s global direction for years to come.
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