U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred controversy by sharing an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope. He posted the photo on his Truth Social platform just days before Catholic cardinals are set to meet and choose a new pope, following the death of Pope Francis last month at age 88.

The post comes shortly after Trump joked that he "would like to be pope," despite not being a Catholic or a regular churchgoer. The image, which was later shared by the White House on its official X account, shows Trump seated solemnly in an ornate chair, wearing white papal robes and headgear, with one finger pointed upward.

The irreverent posting drew instant outrage on X, including from Republicans against Trump, a group that describes itself as “pro-democracy conservative Republicans fighting Trump & Trumpism.”

The group reposted the image, calling it “a blatant insult to Catholics and a mockery of their faith”.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to comment on the image during a briefing with journalists about the process of electing a new pope, which begins on May 7.

Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi wrote on X: “This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions and shows that the leader of the global right enjoys being a clown.

In the meantime, the American economy risks recession and the dollar loses value.”Closer to home, the Catholic bishops of New York state also expressed their displeasure on X.

“There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President,” they wrote. “We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us.”

On Tuesday, Donald Trump joked that he would choose himself to be the next pope, but added that Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York would also be a “very good” choice. Dolan, who is the Archbishop of New York, is not considered a likely candidate.

However, another American, Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, is reportedly on the list of potential successors.

The Catholic Church has never had a pope from the United States.

Back in February, both Trump and the official White House social media accounts shared another AI-generated image—this time showing Trump wearing a crown with the caption: “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”

Meanwhile, on Saturday morning in West Palm Beach, Florida, a group of about a dozen supporters, including 60-year-old Debbie Macchia, gathered to watch Trump’s motorcade arrive at his golf club.