VATICAN CRINGES As Trump Throws Melania UNDER THE BUS.

Cardinal Dolan reacts to Trump’s AI pope photo: ‘It wasn’t good’

In a move that has left both political observers and religious communities stunned, former President Donald Trump recently posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope on his Truth Social account.

The image, which was also shared by the official White House social media accounts, quickly went viral and sparked widespread criticism.

What has added fuel to the fire is Trump’s comment attributing the image’s creation to his wife, Melania Trump, who reportedly found it “cute.

The timing of the post, shortly after Pope Francis’s funeral and just before the conclave to elect his successor, drew particular criticism from Catholic leaders.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the Catholic bishops of New York condemned the post as disrespectful, urging the president not to mock a solemn religious moment.

Bishop Robert Barron also expressed disapproval, emphasizing the need for reverence during such a significant time for the Catholic Church.

Catholics criticize Trump after he posts image of himself as pope

In response to the backlash, President Trump defended the image, calling it a joke and emphasizing the importance of having “a little fun.

He claimed he was not responsible for creating or posting the image and credited an unknown individual online.

However, he also mentioned that First Lady Melania Trump found the image amusing, which has led to further controversy.

Some critics argue that by attributing the image to Melania, Trump is deflecting responsibility and placing the blame on his wife.

Trump and Pope Francis Had Sharply Different Views, and Sharp Disagreements  - The New York Times

The Vatican has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.

However, the timing and nature of the post have likely caused discomfort among Vatican officials, who are focused on the upcoming papal conclave and the selection of a new pope.

The image’s portrayal of Trump in papal regalia may be seen as undermining the sanctity of the papacy and the mourning period following Pope Francis’s death.

Who is at the Pope's funeral in pictures: Trump, Macron, Prince William and  others

The AI-generated image and the subsequent backlash highlight ongoing tensions between President Trump and religious communities.

While Trump maintains that the post was intended as a lighthearted joke, the involvement of Melania and the timing of the post have added layers of controversy.

As the papal conclave approaches, the incident serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between politics and religion.