Just days earlier than the papal conclave is about to start—and a brand new chief of the Catholic Church will likely be chosen—President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated picture of himself because the Pope.
Trump took to his social media platform, Reality Social, late on Friday, Might 2, to share a picture of himself within the conventional papal clothes. The official White Home social media account later reposted the picture on X.
The picture garnered a combined response, with one critic saying it was “slightly offensive for Catholics.” Michael Steele, a former chairman of the Republican Nationwide Committee, was amongst these to critique the posting of the picture, referring to Trump as “unserious and incapable.”
Because the demise of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, the Catholic neighborhood—together with the remainder of the world—has been eagerly ready to see who will succeed him. That call will likely be made through the papal conclave, which is about to start on Might 7.
Learn Extra: Pope Francis’ Legacy Is Celebrated by Mourners at His Funeral
Trump’s publish of himself because the Pontiff comes simply days after he teased he would select himself to succeed Pope Francis.
“I’d wish to be Pope,” Trump instructed reporters outdoors the White Home on April 30, when he was requested concerning the subsequent Pontiff. “That might be my primary selection.”
The quip was then bolstered by others—together with Sen. Lindsay Graham, who joked on X that he was “excited” that the President is “open to the thought of being the subsequent Pope.”
Trump went on to extra severely recommend New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, as a contender to be the subsequent Pope. Dolan has been seen as Trump’s most popular cardinal and delivered conventional prayers at each of his inaugurations.
“I have to say, we now have a cardinal that occurs to be out of a spot known as New York who’s excellent,” Trump mentioned.
On Might 1, Trump signed an Government Order establishing the “Spiritual Liberty Fee,” and named Cardinal Dolan as one of many people who will function a member.
Learn Extra: President Trump Pays His Respects at Pope Francis’ Funeral After ‘Personal and Productive’ Assembly With Zelensky
The President attended Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday, April 26, however the two notably had an advanced relationship, because the Catholic Church chief sharply disagreed with Trump’s mass deportation efforts, saying that the follow “damages the dignity of many women and men, and of whole households.”
Pope Francis additionally notably referred to Trump’s first time period efforts to construct a wall on the Southern border between the U.S. and Mexico as “not Christian.”
