Make Vatican great again? Trump shares AI image after joking about becoming Pope
Just days after joking that he’d love to become the next Pope, US president Donald Trump doubled down on the gag by posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed head to toe in papal robes.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump had quipped, “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice,” before name-dropping Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York as another contender, adding, “We’ll see what happens.”
Then on Saturday, he took the joke further, posting the AI image on Truth Social showing himself in white vestments, a mitre and ornate cross.
The post quickly went viral, sparking laughter, outrage and no small amount of confusion online.
Trump attended Pope Francis’s funeral last week, marking his first foreign trip since returning to power. Around 20% of Americans are Catholic, and most voted for Trump in November. Pope Francis was a vocal critic, once saying Trump’s border wall plan showed he was “not a Christian,” favoring division over unity.
“Anyone, whoever he is, who only wants to build walls and not bridges is not a Christian,” Francis had said.
The Catholic Church is currently preparing for a conclave set to begin on May 7, following the death of Pope Francis earlier this month. The College of Cardinals will convene in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new leader for the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide
Who are the contenders to succeed Pope Francis?
As the Catholic Church approaches the upcoming conclave, several cardinals are considered potential successors to Pope Francis. These individuals, known as papabile, are recognized for their theological acumen, leadership qualities, and alignment with the Church’s direction.
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy): Serving as the Vatican Secretary of State, Parolin is a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in international relations. He played a pivotal role in the Vatican’s agreements with China and efforts to mediate global conflicts.
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): Former Archbishop of Manila and current Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Tagle is known for his pastoral sensitivity and communication skills. His election would mark the first Asian Pope, reflecting the Church’s growth in Asia.
- Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Congo): As Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, Ambongo is a vocal advocate for social justice and environmental issues, representing the vibrant African Church.
- Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy): Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Zuppi is recognized for his work in peace negotiations and commitment to marginalized communities, embodying the pastoral approach of Pope Francis.
- Cardinal Péter Erdo (Hungary): Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and a respected canon law scholar, Erdo is considered a leading conservative voice within the Church, emphasizing doctrinal clarity and tradition.
