BREAKING New York's Catholic Bishops' Conference Responds to President Trump as Pope AI Image Posted by the White House "Do not mock us."

 White House Under Fire for AI-Generated Image of President Trump as the Next Pope

The White House is facing backlash after posting an AI-generated image depicting President Donald J. Trump dressed as the next pope. The image, which appeared on an official White House social media (X) account on Friday, May 2nd, was quickly met with a wave of criticism from both religious leaders and lay Catholics — including many who are otherwise staunch Trump supporters.

The digitally altered image showed Trump in full papal regalia, complete with the white cassock, golden pectoral cross, and the papal tiara.

While the post appeared to be intended as a symbolic nod to Trump’s enduring influence and leadership, many found it blasphemous and deeply inappropriate — especially in the wake of the recent death of Pope Francis on April 21 and the ongoing period of mourning within the Catholic Church.

Catholic Backlash

Catholics across the ideological spectrum reacted with concern and outrage. Some viewed the image as a sacrilegious mockery of a sacred office. Even among Trump’s Catholic supporters, there was unease.

One popular conservative Catholic account called "Pray the Rosary" with over 130K  X followers wrote: "Really poor taste from the White House"

Theologian Joshua Charles wrote on X: "Mr. President—please cease this offensive and sacrilegious behavior."

Others expressed concern that the image blurred the line between faith and politics in a way that was misleading and inappropriate.

Bishops Speak Out

The New York State Catholic Conference — representing the bishops of the state, including the influential Archdiocese of New York — issued a statement Saturday morning expressing their dismay.

“There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us.”

Among Catholic hierarchy there is an emphasis on the importance of respect for Catholic institutions and called for greater digital responsibility in an era where AI content can be easily mistaken for reality.

Catholic ethicists and theologians have often raised concerns about the potential for AI to generate religious images that could be misused or misunderstood.

Looking Ahead

The Vatican has not issued an official response, but several prominent Catholic theologians and commentators have expressed hopes that there will be a deeper conversation about the sacredness of religious imagery and the responsibilities of public figures in the digital age.

As the Catholic Church prepares for the next conclave to elect a new pope, the controversy serves as a stark reminder of the need for reverence and restraint — particularly when religious faith intersects with politics and modern technology.

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— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 3, 2025