Posted on 05/03/2025 12:40:41 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump posted an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself dressed as pope as the mourning of Pope Francis continues and just days before the conclave to elect his successor is set to begin. Trump’s action drew rebukes from a group representing Catholic bishops in New York and among Italians.
The image, shared Friday night on Trump’s Truth Social site and later reposted by the White House on its official X account, raised eyebrows on social media and at the Vatican, which is still in the period of nine days of official mourning following Francis’ death on April 21. Catholic cardinals have been celebrating daily Masses in his memory and are due to open the conclave to elect his successor on Wednesday.
The death of a pope and election of another is a matter of utmost solemnity for Catholics, for whom the pope is Christ’s vicar on Earth. That is all the more true in Italy, where the papacy is held in high esteem even by nonreligious Italians.
The image featuring Trump in a white cassock and pointed miter, or bishop’s hat, was the topic of several questions during the Vatican’s daily conclave briefing Saturday. Italian and Spanish news reports lamented its poor taste and said it was offensive, given that the period of official mourning is still underway.
Left-leaning former Premier Matteo Renzi said the image was shameful. “This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions and shows that the leader of the right-wing world enjoys clowning around,” Renzi wrote on X. “Meanwhile, the U.S. economy risks recession and the dollar loses value. The sovereignists are doing damage, everywhere.”
The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, declined to comment.
In the United States, the New...
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
Re: Lighten up, Frank.
Always needed and much appreciated advice.
Thanks.
LOL Timmy Dolan LOL
You can always spot him.
He is the guy who has his flytrap open wide with a fake laugh whenever there is a camera nearby.
Related. This is a joy to watch, The View, the meme, the receipts...
Damon Imani
@damonimani
Receipts fix selective outrage!
Quote
Catch Up
@CatchUpFeed
·
2h
He pulled up actual photos and cooked the entire show:
6:55 PM · May 6, 2025 13K Views
https://x.com/damonimani/status/1919888685689872664
So he knew ahead of time the topic? Or does he always carry things like that just in case?
Was great to see the clueless ladies reactions but seemed scripted/planned since the guy immediately countered with evidence.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.