Donald Trump hangs an AI-generated image of himself dressed up as the Pope, just one week after the funeral of Pope Francis. It came with an image of the Republican leader—much to his eternal chagrin—who is not Catholic, wearing his papal miter and a large crucifix around his neck. Many have condemned the timing of the post, which coincided with Catholic mourning throughout the world, as deeply inappropriate, and even Christian community members and people around the world.
Following Trump’s past comments wherein he joked to reporters that he ‘wouldn’t object’ to being Pope himself, it would be his ‘number one choice,’ the controversy also produces tension. He was asked if he had a favorite for the next Pope, and simply wondered aloud about “a very good cardinal in New York,” a comment that was already causing some to bristle at his irreverence. Trump’s decision to post the altered image to Twitter, considered tasteless and disrespectful, has now been ascended into place by cardinals gathering in the Vatican to elect a new Catholic Church leader following Pope Francis’ death.
Pope Francis, who spent years devoted to serving the Catholic Church died at the age of 88 Monday on Easter, according to tragedy fans around the world. Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square to pay homage to his life and legacy in solemnity and spiritual reflection to mark his final hours. The funeral of his funeral was hosted at St. Peter’s Basilica, which drew Catholics and non C Catholics in mourning.
Now the College of Cardinals prepares to choose a new pope, symbolic preparations are taking place in Vatican City, including the installation of the Vatican City Sistine Chapel chimney, which will blacken(smoke) via smoke, whichever cardinals choose. And this has all happened yet Trump’s digitally enhanced papal image has triggered a storm of fury. Other social media critics have lambasted the Catholic tradition as sacrilegious, mocking, and a mockery of Catholic tradition.
One commenter wrote: “Trump is literally mocking the Christian world with this image he shared and on a day when Catholics mourn the death of their spiritual leader, Pope Francis.” One added, Who would think that Trump would be so brazenly sacrilegious? Classless.” Trump came under fire from others, who demanded that the image of Trump be deleted immediately, and accused him of using a somber religious moment for personal showboating. The insults really enrage me as well. It’s a mockery of millions for whom the papacy is a sacred institution,” one user wrote. I am a Catholic and I find such a disrespect for past and future leaders of our Church.”
Trump also wore the brunt of criticism after dressing inappropriately at the funeral of Pope Francis. Always dressed in the more traditional dark muted funeral dress, he wore a suit and tie in a royal blue. One of the observers noted that the selection showed a lack of cultural and religious sensitivity.
This backlash mirrors a more general nervousness some feel when politicians take prominent roles in embracing sacred sites or when those politicians turn sacred moments into promotions. For Trump’s supporters, the post may seem humorous or unimportant, but the response from critics in the overwhelming majority is one of offense, grief and just growing outrage that we are in another politically staged moment to try to ruin the solemnity of a time where we should be mourning together.