Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, May 18, 2025

Trump Shares AI-Generated Image of Himself as… Pope, Prompting Outrage Reaction

The U.S. President posted a papal-themed image of himself just 11 days after the death of Pope Francis, amid ongoing mourning and before a new pontiff has been elected.
U.S. President Donald Trump posted an image of himself dressed as the Pope on his social media platform, just 11 days after the death of Pope Francis and before a successor has been chosen. The image, generated by artificial intelligence, shows Trump seated on a throne, wearing full papal attire including white robes with gold embellishments, a large cross around his neck, and his right hand raised.

The post follows a remark made earlier in the week by Trump, in which he stated that becoming the Pope would be his “number one choice.” Trump had also recently attended the funeral of Pope Francis.

The Pope serves as the global head of the Catholic Church and is considered a sacred figure by hundreds of millions of believers, viewed as the successor to Saint Peter, the first Pope and a disciple of Jesus. The Catholic community remains in a formal mourning period following Pope Francis’s passing, and the process of selecting a new pontiff has not yet been completed.

Trump’s post drew swift and widespread reactions online. Many users, noting that Trump is not Catholic, expressed disapproval and called for the post to be removed. Some commenters described the image as disrespectful to the memory of the late Pope and to Catholic traditions. Others referred to the timing of the post as inappropriate, given the current mourning period observed by the Church.

Additional responses included users characterizing the post as offensive or irreverent, with some using strong terms such as “psychopath” or “sacrilege” in their criticisms. Conversely, some of Trump's supporters praised the move, stating that it provoked opponents and generated attention. Several supportive users responded by sharing memes and positive messages.

Christianity constitutes approximately 65 percent of the U.S. population, with Protestantism as the dominant denomination. Of the estimated 140 million Protestant Christians in the U.S., a large portion belong to Evangelical streams. Catholicism is the second-largest Christian denomination in the country, with approximately 75 million adherents, including President Joe Biden.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Indian jet shootdown: the all-robot legion behind China’s PL-15E missiles
The Chinese Dragon: The True Winner in the India-Pakistan Clash
Australia's Venomous Creatures Contribute to Life-Saving Antivenom Programme
The Spanish Were Right: Long Working Hours Harm Brain Function
Did Former FBI Director Call for Violence Against Trump? Instagram Post Sparks Uproar
US and UAE Partner to Develop Massive AI Data Center Complex
Apple's $95 Million Siri Settlement: Eligible Users Have Until July 2 to File Claims
US and UAE Reach Preliminary Agreement on Nvidia AI Chip Imports
President Trump and Elon Musk Welcomed by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim with Cybertruck Convoy
Strong Warning Issued: Do Not Use General Chatbots for Medical, Legal, or Educational Guidance
Saudi Arabia Emerges as Global Tech Magnet with U.S. Backing and Trump’s Visit
This was President's departure from Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince personally escorted him back to the airport.
NVIDIA and Saudi Arabia Launch Strategic Partnership to Establish AI Centers
Trump Meets Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara in Historic Encounter
Trump takes a blow torch to the neocons and interventionists while speaking to the Saudis
US and Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Agreements Across Multiple Sectors
Why Saudi Arabia Rolled Out a Purple Carpet for Donald Trump Instead of Red
Elon Musk Joins Trump Meeting in Saudi Arabia
Trump says it would be 'stupid' not to accept gift of Qatari plane
Quantum Computing Threatens Bitcoin Security
Michael Jordan to Serve as Analyst for NBA Games
Senate Democrats Move to Censure Trump Over Qatar Jet Gift
Hamas Releases Last Living US Hostage from Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict
India and Pakistan Agreement on Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Tensions
Trump's Upcoming Middle East Trip Excludes Israel, Raising Concerns Among Israeli Officials
Kurdistan Workers Party Announces Dissolution Amid Ongoing Conflict Resolution Efforts
Trump's Upcoming Visit to Gulf Nations: Investment and Security at the Forefront
Cardinal Robert Prevost Elected as Pope Leo XIV, Marking a Historic Papacy
India-Pakistan conflict may be first test for Chinese military tech
Bill Gates Announces Plan to Wind Down Philanthropic Foundation and Disperse Wealth
Common Sense Returns to Britain's Legal System: UK Supreme Court Declares a Woman Is… a Woman
Warren Buffett to Step Down as Berkshire CEO After Nearly 60 Years
Trump Shares AI-Generated Image of Himself as… Pope, Prompting Outrage Reaction
Amazon Launches Satellite Internet Service Amidst Competition with SpaceX
The Rush to the White Gold: Global Investment Surge in Natural Hydrogen Exploration
Trump Administration Removes National Security Adviser Mike Waltz Amid Signal Chat Controversy
Liverpool Clinches Record-Equalling 20th English League Title Under Arne Slot
Massive Explosion at Iran's Bandar Abbas Port Linked to Suspicious Chemical Shipments
Pope Francis Laid to Rest in Rome as World Leaders Attend Funeral
Not Child’s Play: How Competitive Gaming Became a Global Economic Empire
California Surpasses Japan to Become the World’s Fourth-Largest Economy
Former U.S. Congressman George Santos sentenced to eighty-seven months for wide-ranging fraud
Israel Considers Limited Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Facilities Amid Diplomatic Efforts
Saudi Arabia Offers Max Verstappen Unprecedented Deal to Join Aston Martin
Global Pistachio Shortage Amid Rising Demand for 'Dubai Chocolate'
IMF Predicts No Global Recession Amid Trade Tensions
Worldwide Markets Decline as U.S.-China Trade Frictions Intensify
OpenAI Lands Unprecedented $40 Billion Investment
Removing the Political Adversary is Dismantling What's Remaining of Turkey's Economy.
Ex-FIFA President and French Football Icon Acquitted of Corruption Allegations
×