Donald Trump is facing strong criticism from a major Catholic group after sharing a digitally altered image of himself dressed as the pope.
The photo surfaced online just days after the funeral of Pope Francis, sparking outrage among Catholic leaders and believers.
The controversy started when Trump posted the AI-generated image on his Truth Social platform and it was later reshared on the official White House X account. This move came shortly after Trump returned from attending Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, where global leaders and thousands of Catholics gathered to pay their last respects to the late pontiff.
The backlash came swiftly, especially from the New York State Catholic Conference. The group, which speaks for bishops across the state, took issue with the image being shared so soon after the pope’s passing. Many saw the image as disrespectful during a sacred time for the Church, as cardinals prepare to gather and select the next leader of the Catholic Church.
Social media users added fuel to the fire, expressing anger and disbelief over the timing of the post. Some questioned why the White House would share such an image, while others warned it could cost Trump support among religious voters. The criticism was not limited to Catholics alone—others also found the gesture in poor taste, given the mourning period and the spiritual weight of the moment.
The situation became even more tense after Trump, when asked about the Church’s future, remarked that he would like to be pope. This offhand comment came across as dismissive to many, especially at a time when millions of Catholics around the world are reflecting on the life and leadership of their former spiritual guide.
The White House has yet to respond publicly to the controversy, and Trump’s campaign team has remained silent as well. As of now, the image remains online, continuing to draw attention and debate.
Catholic leaders are urging respect during this time of transition for the Church. With a new pope soon to be chosen, they are calling for reverence, not memes, especially from those in high office. Many feel that faith should not be turned into political theater, particularly when emotions are still raw and the Church is preparing for its next chapter.