President Donald Trump just dropped the ultimate holy bombshell on Truth Social: an AI-generated pic of himself rocking the pope’s iconic white cassock, gold crucifix, and that snazzy mitre hat.
Caption? None needed. Timing? Oh, just days after Pope Francis’s funeral, with the Vatican gearing up for a conclave to pick the next guy to wear the big hat. Talk about a divine comedy!
The image, which also graced the White House X account, comes hot on the heels of Trump’s Tuesday quip to reporters: “I’d make a yuge pope, believe me.” Apparently, he wasn’t kidding, and now the internet is torn between laughing, gasping, and speed-dialing their priests.
The New York State Catholic Conference wasn’t here for the LOLs, blasting the post as a low blow. “Mr. President, we’re mourning Pope Francis, not auditioning for Vatican’s Got Talent,” they fumed on X.
Across the pond, Italy’s La Repubblica slapped the image on its front page, calling it “Trump’s latest ego trip.” Former PM Matteo Renzi wasn’t laughing either, grumbling, “This guy’s out here turning the papacy into a circus act.”
Spanish and Italian tabloids piled on, dubbing the stunt “tasteless” while the Vatican’s still wiping tears from Pope Francis’s April 21 send-off.
Social media? It’s a holy war out there. Some Catholics are clutching their crucifixes, crying “blasphemy!” One X user ranted, “Trump’s playing dress-up while we’re grieving? Rude!” Others, though, are cackling. “Pope Donnie? I’m here for it,” one supporter posted, probably already designing MAGA mitres. Another chimed in, “It’s just a meme, Karen, unclench.”
The White House tried to smooth things over with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisting Trump’s a Catholic cheerleader. “He jetted to Rome for Francis’s funeral, okay? He’s practically St. Peter’s BFF,” she said. Sure, he showed up in a blue suit instead of mourner’s black, but who’s keeping score? (Spoiler: Everyone.)
Trump’s squad leaned into the gag. Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted, “Pope Trump? Dark horse vibes! Cardinals, slide into his DMs!” VP JD Vance, the resident Catholic, shrugged, “Jokes are fine, y’all. Jesus laughed too, probably.”
Meanwhile, the Vatican’s keeping it chill, with spokesman Matteo Bruni dodging questions like a pro. “Conclave prep, folks, no time for meme drama,” he basically said.
For context, Pope Francis, who passed at 88 after a stroke, wasn’t exactly Trump’s pen pal, once shading his border wall as “un-Christian.” Still, Trump and Melania popped by the funeral, and now he’s out here channeling Sistine Chapel Swagger.
As the Catholic Church preps to pick a new leader for its 1.4 billion flock, Trump’s papal cosplay has everyone wondering: Is this a joke, a flex, or just another day in 2025? Either way, pass the holy water—this one’s gonna leave a mark.
Leave a Reply