The president of the United States, Donald Trump, has generated controversy by publishing an image generated by artificial intelligence that shows him dressed as the Pope, just when the Catholic world is mourning for the death of Pope Francis and prepares for the next conclave.
The image, which was initially shared on its social truth platform and then disseminated by the official White House account in X (formerly Twitter), has been widely criticized in both the United States and in Italy. In it, Trump appears carrying the traditional papal white cassock and a miter, the high hat used by bishops.
The publication arrives at a particularly sensitive moment: the Catholic Church is located in the nine days of official mourning for the death of Franciscooccurred on April 21, while the cardinals celebrate daily masses in their memory and are preparing to start the conclave next Wednesday.
The reaction did not wait. In the United States, the Catholic Conference of the State of New York – organism that represents the bishops before the Government – accused Trump of making fun of a deeply sacred process.
“Mr. President, there is nothing ingenious or fun in this image. We just built our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to choose a new successor of San Pedro. Don’t make fun of us.”
In Italy, where the papacy retains a symbolic value even among non -believers, the rejection was also significant.
Italian and Spanish media described the image of offensive and bad taste. During the daily information session of the conclave, on Saturday, several journalists raised questions on the subject.
-Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, an outstanding figure of the left, did not hesitate to express his repudiation, qualifying the publication as “shameful” in his X account.
“This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions and shows that the leader of the right -wing world enjoys clown.”
For his part, the Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, chose not to comment.
The episode occurs days after Trump made a statement that many considered provocative: “I would like to be a potato. That would be my first option”he said jokingly to journalists.
It should be noted that Trump is not Catholic and has been married three times. So far, the White House has not issued an official response on the controversy or explained why the president decided to share that image.
With AP information
