Some Catholics in the United States have accused Donald Trump of mocking Catholicism after he posted an AI-generated image of himself as a pontiff.
The picture was shared by official White House social media accounts, the BBC reports.
The spoof comes as Catholics mourn the death of Pope Francis, who died on 21 April, and prepare to choose the next pontiff.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to answer questions about Trump’s post during a briefing with journalists on Saturday. The Vatican is preparing to host a conclave beginning on Wednesday to choose Francis’s successor.
The image posted by Trump on Friday night features him wearing a white cassock and mitre, traditionally worn by a bishop. He wears a large cross around his neck, and his pose suggests he is giving a solemn blessing.
The New York State Catholic Conference, which represents bishops in New York, said on X: “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.”
[Image: X/White House]