U.S. President Donald Trump ignited controversy in early May after sharing an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope on his Truth Social platform.
The post, which came just days before the College of Cardinals convened to elect a new pope, quickly drew criticism online.
The image depicted Trump in full papal regalia—seated in an ornate chair, dressed in white robes and a mitre, with one finger raised. The digitally altered photo was later reshared by the White House on its official X account, further fueling public reaction. Many viewed the post as irreverent and poorly timed, given the solemn occasion of Pope Francis’ death last month at the age of 88. Even some of Trump’s Republican critics condemned the move.
Soon after, the Vatican conclave elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th pope, making history as the first American to assume the role. Born in Chicago, Prevost leads the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the most influential departments in the Catholic Church, responsible for appointing bishops worldwide. He also holds dual citizenship with Peru, where he served as a missionary for years.
Following Prevost’s election and adoption of the name Pope Leo XIV, social media has erupted with speculation about Trump’s AI post—some users even jokingly questioning whether it foreshadowed or influenced the choice of the new pope.
Robert Prevost has made history as the first American-born Pope to ever lead the Catholic Church.
A native of Chicago, and he has expressed a desire to bring authenticity to the Church.
Did Donald Trump’s AI image of himself as the Pope hint that he knew the next Pope would be… pic.twitter.com/r5AC9GlF6K
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) May 8, 2025
While there’s no evidence linking the post to the Vatican’s decision, the incident has once again placed Trump at the center of a cultural and political firestorm.
Meanwhile, President Trump has congratulated Pope Leo XIV, while announcing his interest in meeting him.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 8, 2025
