As cardinals at the Vatican ready for a conclave to select the next pope, Catholics around the world were shocked to see President Trump post an AI-generated image of himself as the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
The photo, posted by Trump on Truth Social and reposted by the official White House account on Twitter/X, prompted a range of spirited reactions across the faith spectrum.
It also sparked some interesting questions: On topics of faith, where is the line between humor and offense? Should world leaders be posing as religious figures? And is making jokes so soon after death of Pope Francis even appropriate in the first place?
What Catholic Leaders Say
The immediate reaction from Catholic leaders was less than enthusiastic. Cardinal Timothy Dolan called it “brutta figura,” an Italian phrase that has various translations, among them “making a fool of oneself” and "crude image."
But others took a stronger stance. Bishop Robert Barron called it a “bad joke” and “offensive”:
Bishop Thomas Paprocki offered even sharper criticism, saying it was “deeply offensive” and accused the president of “mocking God, the Catholic Church, and the Papacy.”
Bigger Concerns?
Jesuit priest James Martin gave another view, encouraging fellow Catholics to take a charitable interpretation of the image while also offering a counterfactual:
Still others say that while the image is offensive, there are bigger things to worry about:
Administration Responds
As criticism poured in, Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, was directly challenged about whether he thought this image was “mocking the Holy Father.”
Vance responded by saying he was “fine with people telling jokes”:
Today, Trump himself responded to criticism, lamenting the fact that Catholics “can’t take a joke” and insisting that the “Catholics loved it.”
Was It Appropriate?
Those defending the image see it as a harmless joke, an attempt at humor from an administration that has frequently positioned itself as an enemy of “wokeness” and political correctness.
But based on the Catholics speaking out, it’s also clear that many think it crossed a line. From the timing – right after the death of a widely-loved pope, to the imagery – a politician who critics see as oppositional to Catholic values dressed as the leader of their faith.
What is your reaction?
15 comments
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Nicholas J Page
I'm a Christian English man and Trump makes a mockery out of everything, every day.So to pose as a Pope is sacrilege
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Najah P Tamargo
Najah Tamargo-USA
I am not Catholic. But I'm RESPECTFUL of other religions. Considering the fact I do not believe he has EVER read a book, let alone a Bible of any sort, I consider this straight up blasphemy!!! He claims to be "Christian". I do not believe it! That picture proves it!!
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Chris
I didn't find it offensive, just in very poor taste. He slept through the Pope's funeral, which was disrespectful in itself. And while he may not have actually generated the photo, for him to share it and claim people love it is in bad taste. It's hilarious to see some of the pictures his cult members come up with. They're all laughable, but this one should have been skipped. I know his cult members see him as a messiah, but this is too far.
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Edwin Jovanni Aguiar
This is not something a President. Should be doing especially disrespecting past popes and future popes. Especially that other people here have said that he fell asleep through the Pope's funeral, He shouldn't be posting things like this or any other things. Cause this is really disrespectful, especially being a catholic myself I'm pretty sure he would not like anybody.Posting a picture of them in the oval office Please learn to respect. Others mister president if you want them to respect you
Minister Edwin jovanni aguiar
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Colleen McAllister
Too soon for such mockery. Bad taste at any time. And this shows tRump's audacity to see himself in the role of a Pope. This post must have really fed his enormous ego. Just one more example of tRump's disregard for anyone but himself.
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Daniel Todd Kamm
Donald Trump is under the control of others... a figurehead, short of political stature, short of what mind he has left, and less short of whatever meds are used to control him.
That is one scenario.
The other is that he is truly an authoritarian pushing the boundaries of power and seeking the humiliation if not destruction of his perceived enemies..
Sounds like many others in the course of our histories any way you choose.
No matter what they call themselves, a Nazi is a Nazi... Christian "Nationalists" are Nazis hence the term... a problem in the past just as they are now.
You can't win the hearts and minds of these people. Like Crusaders and other Christian idolaters of old, they find significance only in the destruction of their perceived enemies... they make a small victory for themselves... and then they pass away, violently or peacefully, like we all do....
Ashes, dust, smoke, brain cells, whatever... the felon is a big enough problem by himself, his others worse... the addition of advanced AI to the mix is extremely dangerous... way beyond whether anyone can "take a joke" or whether the Catholics "loved it...."
Please... either way, he and his compatriots are too many wild cards dangerous, and that will ruin the game.
Peace OUT tk
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Herbert Moore
who can evaluate what someone mentally ill will proclaim. It may free Melania.
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Robert Hauck, MD, FAAP
"Bruta figura" says it all. This crude gesture isn't surprising from an egomaniac and psychopath who knows no self-restraint --- or respect for others. The puzzling question: while reviewing the multi-million dollar military parade on his birthday will be dressed like the Pope or a be-medaled general --- or simply like God. . . .
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John W
I'm sorry, but behavior like this doesn't cut it for the President of the United States. This isn't like actor Don Novello and his Father Guido Sarduchi character that treated the Catholic Church with a bit of tongue in cheak levity. Though some hard-core believers have elevated the current President to a diety like figure, he is but a mere mortal and a deeply flawed human being. The President of the United States is expected to be the model of decorum and decency not only to the nation but to the world and should seek to be example of a leader that others should hope to aspire to be, not a person who mocks others and acts as if the Presidency is some 5th rate reality television show filled with a cast of clowns.
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ServantOfJudgement
This will be a good litmus test for both sides of the aisle.
The left loves it when people make fun of Christians and especially Catholicism. When the cross dressing nons crotch grind the crucifix it's applauded. It's art. Naturally this is slammed by the right.
We should see the left applaud trump and the right slam trump. We won't though.
This is very poor form and not becoming of a President. It's an insult to the average Catholic's faith and obviously so.
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
I’m not sure where you got the lie that “the left loves it when people make fun of christians and especially catholicism.”
What you fail to recognize is that there is a gigantic difference between true, honest, loving, authentic, genuine Christians (which includes some who are liberal) and the christian nationalists who are the very definition of hateful, evil, and disgusting.
I know a Christian when I see one. They walk the walk and talk the talk. I also know a christian nationalist when I see one. They hate those who love Christ. They hate those who are living in poverty, are disabled, homeless, and non-white. They hate the LGBTQ+ community. They hate Diversity, Equality, and inclusion.
That’s an awful lot of hate.
I do agree with your closing statement.
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David W. Dube
tRump is a clown. You can't expect anything other than stuff like this from him and his administration. Gods Will Be Done!
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Robert Hauck, MD, FAAP
"Bruta figura" says it all. This crude gesture isn't surprising from an egomaniac and psychopath who knows no self-restraint --- or respect for others. The puzzling question: while reviewing the multi-million dollar military parade on his birthday will be dressed like the Pope or a be-medaled general --- or simply like God. . . .
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Alexander Clarke
No!
I’m not a bit surprised he did it; trump is scum and his followers are cult members. That “person” has absolutely no redeeming qualities and has single handedly destroyed our standing in world politics. I can’t explain how evil and disgusting I find him, and I feel the same about his sycophants. If you feel, somehow, that you align with that despot, please do us both a favor and leave me alone. Anyone else is welcome…