Trump’s Pope Dream: AI Image Sparks Controversy

Just before the Vatican was set to choose a new pope, former US President Donald Trump stirred up a lot of attention by sharing a funny AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope on his Truth Social platform. In the image, Trump is wearing white papal robes, a gold cross around his neck, and the traditional tall hat of a pope, pointing up as popes often do.

Earlier in the week, when reporters asked him who should follow Pope Francis, Trump jokingly said, “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice.” He also mentioned that there’s a good cardinal from New York named Cardinal Timothy Dolan, hinting he could be a candidate too. Dolan is known for his strong conservative beliefs.

Trump’s Post Gets Mixed Reactions

Trump’s picture quickly went viral. Some people found it hilarious and praised his boldness, with comments like, “Funniest man alive,” and “Make Vatican Great Again.” However, others thought it was inappropriate because of Pope Francis’s recent passing.

Some users expressed their anger, calling the post “disrespectful” and “offensive,” with one saying, “He’s mocking a serious process that we Catholics take seriously.”

Support from Political Allies

Despite the negative feedback, some of Trump’s friends in politics joined the fun. Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted, “I think it’s exciting that Trump is open to being pope. He would be a dark horse candidate!” He also suggested that having a pope who is also a US president could be exciting.

Saying Goodbye to Pope Francis

Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 due to health issues. He led the Catholic Church since 2013 and often spoke out against Trump’s plans, including his ideas about building walls. Still, Trump attended Francis’s funeral, marking his return to international events.

Looking Ahead to the Vatican’s Big Decision

With the pope now gone, 135 cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel on May 7 to pick the next pope. There are no clear favorites yet, but some well-known names have come up:

– Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy): Known for his skills in diplomacy.
– Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): Famous for his strong communication skills.
– Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo (Congo): Respected for his work in social justice.
– Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy): Known for mediating peace.
– Cardinal Péter Erdő (Hungary): A conservative scholar.

Each of these cardinals shows a different direction for the Church’s future. Catholics make up about 20% of the US population, and many of them supported Trump in the last election. His comments about the papacy reflect the complex relationship between faith and politics in America.

As the cardinals prepare to choose the next leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, Trump’s joke may soon be forgotten, but a new chapter for the Church is just beginning.