Former U.S. President Donald Trump ignited controversy after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal attire, just days after quipping he'd “like to be Pope.” The post, shared on Truth Social, quickly polarized social media. While some found the image humorous, many condemned it as insensitive, especially following the recent death of Pope Francis, who passed away last month at age 88 due to a stroke and heart failure. Critics accused Trump of mocking Catholic traditions and disrespecting the late pontiff's memory. Comments ranged from calling him “narcissistic” to branding the post “disgusting and offensive.”

Trump's tongue-in-cheek remark about becoming pope surfaced after being asked about potential successors to Francis. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham even jokingly supported the idea, urging the papal conclave to keep an “open mind.” The AI post has sparked global debate, amplifying tensions around the intersection of faith, politics, and digital satire.