Former President Donald Trump stirred up social media on Friday night by posting a digitally altered image of himself dressed as the Pope on his platform, Truth Social. The post came just days after the death of Pope Francis and immediately sparked a wave of reactions—ranging from humorous praise to sharp criticism.
🕊️ The Timing: Just Days After Pope Francis’ Passing
The post comes shortly after the Catholic world mourned the loss of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 due to complications following a stroke and cardiocirculatory collapse.
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His funeral was held at St. Peter’s Square, drawing global leaders including Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
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Pope Francis was laid to rest in St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome.
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Francis was known for his progressive stances, especially toward the LGBTQ+ community.
📸 Trump’s Post: No Caption, Big Impact
At 10:29 PM ET, Trump posted an image that appeared to be AI-generated, showing him dressed in full papal attire. The image carried no caption or explanation, leaving followers to interpret it on their own.
💬 Reactions from the Right and Left
The internet lit up with responses, with some hailing the post as classic Trump trolling, and others calling it disrespectful or delusional.
Positive Reactions:
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Terrance K. Williams, comedian: “Pope Trump… He’s trolling because he knows the media will flip. Love it.”
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MAGA Voice (X): “🚨 HOLY SH*T — Donald Trump stuns the world by posting a picture of himself as the next Pope 🔥”
Negative Responses:
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Melanie D’Arrigo, healthcare activist: “The guy who broke all 10 commandments is now cosplaying as the Pope.”
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Art Candee, artist: “Donald Trump is now posting AI images cosplaying as the Pope. Bro isn't right in the head.”
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Ruth Ben-Ghiat, historian: “Authoritarian leader cult alert.”
🗣️ Trump’s Take on the Next Pope
When asked who he wants to see succeed Pope Francis, Trump joked:
“I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice.”
He later added that Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York would be a strong candidate.
🧢 Political Figures Join the Banter
Other political names also chimed in with humorous takes:
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Marco Rubio, Trump’s Secretary of State, joked: “You don’t have to be a priest. Any unmarried Catholic male can be Pope. But I’m married, so I guess I’m out.”
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JD Vance, Vice President, posted: “If only there was a job opening for a devout Catholic...”
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Senator Lindsey Graham added fuel, posting: “Watching for white smoke… Trump MMXXVIII!”
Meanwhile, critics were less amused:
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Republicans Against Trump (X): “It’s full-on lunacy at this point.”
📨 Vatican Response?
As of now, there has been no official response from the Vatican. Newsweek has reached out for comment.
📲 The Bigger Picture: AI, Religion, and Memes
Trump’s post highlights how AI-generated images are becoming a new way to shape political identity and trigger public reaction. As debates rage about misinformation and religious respect, the viral photo once again proves Trump’s unique hold on internet culture.
