A week after Pope Francis’s funeral, former US President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope, complete with a papal mitre and a large crucifix. This image was posted on his Truth Social account, following his earlier joke about potentially succeeding the late pope. In the past, Trump had made lighthearted remarks about wanting to be pope, further fueling the controversy surrounding the post.
Many online users expressed outrage, calling the post disrespectful, especially since it was shared during a time when Catholics were mourning Pope Francis. Critics felt that the image mocked the papacy and disrespected millions of Catholics worldwide. Some followers pleaded with Trump to remove the post, calling it sacrilegious.
In addition to this, Trump was also criticized for not adhering to the Vatican’s strict dress code during Pope Francis’s funeral. While most world leaders wore dark suits as a sign of respect, Trump wore a blue suit and tie, which was considered inappropriate by many. Meanwhile, at the funeral, Trump had a brief but significant conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This marked a surprising improvement in their previously tense relationship. The meeting was described as symbolic, especially as Trump took a stronger stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin, following recent missile strikes on Ukraine.
As for the Vatican, cardinals gathered in Rome for a series of private meetings, preparing to elect a new pope. The conclave, which started after Pope Francis’s death on April 21, would decide on his successor, with many hoping the new pope would continue Francis’s progressive legacy.