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X/White HouseUS President Donald Trump has attracted criticism from some Catholics after publishing an AI -generated image as a pope.
The picture, which was shared by official social media accounts in the White House, comes when Catholics mourn for the death of Pope Francis, who died on April 21, and is preparing to choose the next Pontiff.
The New York Catholic Conference accused Trump of making fun of faith. The post comes days after he jokes reporters: “I would like to be a pope.”
Trump is not the first president accused of making fun of the Catholic faith. Former US President Joe Biden sparked outrage a year ago when he made a cross signal to access an abortion in Tampa, Florida.
Vatican spokesman Mateo Bruni declined to answer questions about Trump’s publication during a briefing with journalists on Saturday. The Vatican is preparing to host a conclave to choose the heir of Francis since the beginning of Wednesday.
The image, published by Trump on Friday night, includes to wear a white casso and pointed mitra, traditionally worn by a bishop. He wears a large cross around his neck and has a finger that holds a solemn expression on the face.
The New York Catholic Conference, which represents bishops in New York, took over to X to criticize the picture.
“There is nothing smart or funny about this image, a president,” the group writes.
“We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the Cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to choose a new heir to St. Peter. Don’t make fun of us.”
Left Italian former Prime Minister Mateo Renzi also blew up Trump’s post.
“It is an image that offends believers, offends institutions and shows that the leader of the right world enjoys clowns around,” wrote Renzi in Italian at X.
But the White House rejected any proposal that the Republican president was making fun of the papacy.
“President Trump flew to Italy to give his respect to Pope Francis and attend his funeral. He is an unwavering champion for Catholics and religious freedom,” said press secretary Carolyn Levit.