Trump's Pope Photo Stirs Controversy Ahead of Conclave

Donald Trump sparked widespread reaction by posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope on his Truth Social channel, following a joke he made about wanting to become the next pope after attending the funeral of Pope Francis. The post quickly went viral, attracting both amusement and anger from social media users, with some finding it humorous and others accusing Trump of disrespect and mocking Christianity. Criticism intensified after the image was reportedly shared through official channels, with some users calling it inappropriate and unprofessional, while others defended it as a joke. The controversy reflects the polarized opinions that often accompany Trump's public behavior, particularly regarding sensitive religious matters. Meanwhile, the Vatican is preparing for the selection of Pope Francis' successor, with deliberations set to begin soon. Trump himself reiterated that his papal comments were made in jest and expressed no preference for the next pope.