Trump Spark's outrage among the Catholics with AI pope picture after Francis' death

Rabat – when Catholics mourn the death of Pope Francis around the world, a digitally changed image of the former US President Donald Trump, who is disguised as a Pope, has a nerve that created a counter reaction against Catholic groups and political figures.

The AI-generated picture, which was shared on Friday evening by social media channels of the White House, shows Trump in full papal clothing: a white cassock, a pointed girder and a large cross that is draped around his neck. His facial expression is strict and his finger lifts as if he were to deliver a blessing.

Many considered the post to be poorly coordinated and disrespectful. Pope Francis died on April 21, and the Vatican is now preparing to gather the conclave that will choose his successor. At this moment of reflection and grief, Trump's image has drawn violent criticism.

“It has nothing clever or funny about this picture, Mr. President”, ” wrote The New York State Catholic Conference via X. “We have just buried our beloved Pope Francis. The cardinals are shortly before a sacred conclave. We don't mock us.”

The group, which speaks in the name of New York Catholic bishops, made it clear that it looked at the image as a violation of the spiritual decency and the fundamental decency.

Trump had triggered the concern of the reporter at the beginning of the week: “I want to be a Pope.” This remark, along with the KI photo, now appears less like a provocation like a joke.

Reactions have come from beyond the United States. Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi provided in Italian: “This is a picture that insults believers and insults for institutions. The leader of the right world seems to find joy in doing a spectacle of sacred things.”

In the Vatican, civil servants avoided direct engagement. The spokesman Matteo Bruni refused to answer questions about the picture during a press conference on Saturday. Attention is focused on preparations for the conclave that will begin on Wednesday.

Despite the criticism, the White House defended the post. Press spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Trump visited Pope Francis in Rome and “always occurred for Catholics and religious freedom”.

For many of the believers, the picture of Trump exceeds a line in papal robes. In a moment that was intended for awe and unity, it felt like the power that was disguised as power.