Trump's AI Pope Image Sparks Religious Debate

President Donald Trump sparked controversy by posting an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope on social media shortly after attending Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome. Trump made tongue-in-cheek remarks about succeeding the late pontiff but later clarified he had no real preference, naming New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan as a strong candidate, though experts say Dolan is not a leading favorite. The post drew mixed reactions, with some supporters finding it humorous and others, including many Catholics, condemning it as blasphemous. The Vatican is set to begin the conclave to elect a new pope on May 7. The incident is part of Trump’s ongoing use of AI-generated images for political satire, which has fueled online debate and media attention. The episode highlights tensions between Trump’s provocative style and sensitivities regarding religious symbols.