A whimsical AI-generated image of former President Donald Trump clad in papal regalia recently set the digital world abuzz, resonating through social media with a blend of humor and controversy. The picture, posted by the White House on May 3, 2025, features Trump donning traditional white and gold vestments, complete with a papal gesture. While many conservative figures, including South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, engaged the post with playful banter, the Catholic community expressed indignation, deeming the depiction offensive.
The image's virality is a testament to the power of social media in shaping public discourse. Senator Graham jocularly suggested a "strong momentum" for Trump's hypothetical papacy, despite the requirement for Trump to convert to Catholicism. This jest, reported by the New York Post, is in line with the often irreverent political satire that has become commonplace online. Conservative writer Rod Dreher took to Twitter proposing a slogan, “Make Rome Borgia Again,” a nod to the notorious Renaissance-era papal family.
Contrasting the merriment, the New York State Catholic Conference sternly rebuked the image as "offensive and sacrilegious," especially poignant given the recent passing of Pope Francis and the upcoming papal conclave scheduled for May 7. The Catholic Bishops of New York demanded the president "cease this offensive and sacrilegious behavior," underscoring the reverence owed to the conclave.
Nonetheless, some defended the image as characteristic of Trump's humorous style. Eric Sammons, editor-in-chief of Crisis magazine, stated that the meme was not to be taken gravely, echoing a sentiment shared by others who viewed the post in a more lighthearted vein. Historian Tom Holland humorously commented on the image as an example of “Caesaropapism,” a term historically describing the mingling of political and religious authority.
Amidst this online whirlwind, Trump's recent Rome visit for Pope Francis's funeral became a side note. There, Trump, along with First Lady Melania Trump, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, signaling a continuation of Trump's mediating role in Ukraine-Russia peace talks.
As the conclave nears, speculation is rife regarding the next pope, with Cardinal Pietro Parolin emerging as a frontrunner. The viral image of Trump as pope, though divisive, underscores the intersection of politics, religion, and satire in modern discourse. Vice President JD Vance weighed in, downplaying the meme's significance and emphasizing the gravity of ongoing global conflicts over satirical content.
