US President Donald Trump has shared an AI-generated image of himself dressed as Pope.
Trump posted the image on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Saturday morning.
The picture, which has garnered over 12,000 reactions, has been reposted by the White House’ X handle.
It comes after the president joked that he’d like to be the pontiff when asked who he would like to succeed Pope Francis. He said to reporters on the White House lawn: “I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice.”
Trump went on to say that he did not have a preference but said there was a cardinal in New York who was “very good”.
The conclave to select a new pontiff is now underway after the death of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 due to a stroke and heart failure.
The post has been met with bemusement and criticism, with many describing it as disrespectful.
“Please take this down,” pleaded one social media user. “Many Catholics, myself included, find this as a great disrespect to the past and future leader of our church.”
Another responded: “Trump, as someone outside the U.S., I find your post utterly disrespectful to the Catholic community worldwide. The papacy is a sacred institution for millions, and this mockery is an affront to their beliefs.”
“Completely disrespectful. The Catholic community is mourning and you post this?”
The US leader was criticised over his appearance at Pope Francis’ funeral last week, after he attended wearing a non-traditional blue suit and was seen chewing gum during the ceremony.
Some critics also suggested his meeting on the sidelines with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was inappropriate.
