President Donald Trump recently shared an AI photo of himself as a Pope, following the death of Pope Francis, and not everyone found it so amusing.
New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan disapproved of the Truth Social post, which came just days after the passing of the religious leader, and just before the conclave set to take place at the Vatican to select the new Pope.
He told reporters he hoped Trump “didn’t have anything to do with that,” via The Hill.
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“Well, you know, it wasn’t good,” the cardinal added when asked whether he was offended.
The cardinal is part of Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission and has been an ally of the president.
Bishop Thomas Paprock said the president should apologize.
“This is deeply offensive to Catholics especially during this sacred time that we are still mourning the death of Pope Francis and praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the election of our new Pope,” he wrote.
The New York State Catholic Conference also criticized the post, saying there is “nothing clever or funny” about the image.
“We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us.”
Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, defended the post.
“As a general rule, I’m fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen,” he wrote in response to Bill Kristol, who served as chief of staff to the vice president in the George H.W. Bush administration.
Find out some of the early front-runners to become the next Pope.
There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us. https://t.co/ortxbkDlT5
— NYS Catholic Conference (@NYSCatholicConf) May 3, 2025
(Post 1 of 2): The Bible tells us, “Make no mistake: God is not mocked” (Galatians 6:7). The Pope is the Vicar of Christ. By publishing a picture of himself masquerading as the Pope, President Trump mocks God, the Catholic Church, and the Papacy….https://t.co/vVJix9H0K8
— Bishop Paprocki (@BishopPaprocki) May 3, 2025
As a general rule, I’m fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen. https://t.co/2WQPsofVIH
— JD Vance (@JDVance) May 3, 2025
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