Trump Posts Unique Image of Himself Portrayed as Pope

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump recently posted a satirical image of himself wearing papal attire on his Truth Social platform, playfully suggesting that he would like to be the next pope.

The image, which appears to be AI-generated, depicts Trump pointing his right index finger to the sky while adorned in traditional papal garments, complete with white robes and a gold crucifix pendant.

This comes on the heels of Trump’s lighthearted comments made to reporters earlier this week, expressing his interest in succeeding Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. Just days before a conclave is set to commence to choose the next pope, Trump stated, “I’d like to be pope, that would be my number one choice.”

He further mentioned that while he didn’t have a specific candidate in mind, he referred to a “very good” cardinal in New York.

It seems he was alluding to Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, known for his conservative theological views and strong opposition to abortion.

Trump attended Pope Francis’s funeral last week, marking his first international trip since regaining power.

Approximately 20% of Americans identify as Catholic, and exit polls from November indicated that around 60% of them voted in favor of Trump.

Pope Francis had been one of the most vocal critics of Trump, notably condemning his primary campaign promise to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Francis remarked, “Anyone who only wants to build walls and not bridges is not a Christian.”

Cardinals are scheduled to convene on May 7 in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope.