President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as the pope on Truth Social on Friday, May 2, 2025. (@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social)
TRUMP JOKES HE'D LIKE TO BE POPE, 'NUMBER 1 CHOICE' — THEN NAMES A REAL CONTENDER
The post was met with a wide range of reactions—from some who found it funny to others who said it was offensive.
Townhall columnist Dustan Grage dismissed critics, saying that most of those he saw complaining about the post were atheists and that their opinions didn’t matter.
"Memes depicting Trump as Christ have been and always will be called out as blasphemy. The Pope picture is actually funny. Calm down, folks," Grage wrote.
Meanwhile, Democratic activist and influencer Harry Sisson accused "MAGA" of electing a "man-child."
Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan walks to talk to the media after holding morning mass after the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican, at St Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, New York City, April 21, 2025. (Adam Gray/Reuters)
CLICK HERE TO GET TO THE FOX NEWS APP
"Last time in 2013, when we had the opening prayer—because prayer is extraordinarily important—we had a reflection given by a wonderful Franciscan preacher," Dolan told Martha MacCallum on "The Story." "He said, 'Eminences, you're all scared because you have a tough job to elect the next pope. ... Let me put your mind at ease. It's easy. The Holy Spirit has already chosen the next pope. Your job is to find out who it is’."
Contenders to replace Pope Francis include Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State; Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle; Cardinal Peter Erdo; Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu; Cardinal Raymond Burke; and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi.
Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-posts-ai-image-himself-pope-amid-vaticans-search-new-pontiff