Church Lashes Out At Trump’s ‘Unholy’ Stunt: AI Pope Photo Sparks Outrage

President Trump is facing global backlash after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope on Truth Social, just days after Pope Francis' death on April 21. The White House further ignited outrage by reposting the image on X, fueling fury among religious communities. The photo showed Trump in a white cassock and mitre, posing as a holy figure before the conclave. Many Catholics, clergy, and Italians condemned the stunt, calling it offensive during such a sacred mourning period. Former Italian Premier Matteo Renzi labeled it a "clown act," accusing Trump of distracting from America's pressing economic issues while disrespecting religious institutions. The White House defended the post, stating Trump had paid his respects in Italy and supports Catholics. The New York State Catholic Conference also condemned the image.