An AI-generated image shows the US president in papal robes as the Vatican prepares to elect a new pope after Francis death

US President Donald Trump has posted an AI-generated image of himself in papal attire, just days after joking about becoming the next pope. The image, shared on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, depicts Trump in white papal robes, a gold crucifix, and a mitre, with his right hand raised in a traditional papal gesture.

The post follows comments Trump made earlier this week to reporters. "I'd like to be pope, that would be my number one choice," he said in response to questions about potential successors to Pope Francis, who died on April 21. He went on to praise Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York as "very good," though Vatican observers note that the election of an American pope is unlikely.

The president and First Lady Melania Trump attended Pope Francis' funeral in Rome on April 26, which marked his first international trip since returning to office in January.

The AI-generated image sparked mixed reactions online. Some users found it humorous, while others criticized it as inappropriate, accusing Trump of mocking the death of the late pope.

The Vatican has confirmed that the papal conclave to elect a new pope will begin on May 8, with cardinals from around the world convening in the Sistine Chapel to vote in secrecy.

Truth Social / @realDonaldTrump

Trump and Pope Francis have a history of verbal clashes, especially over immigration and social issues. During his second term, Trump introduced strict immigration policies, including mass deportations, which drew criticism from the Vatican.

In a letter to US Catholic bishops this year, Pope Francis called the crackdown a "major crisis" that harms the dignity of migrants, and warned against portraying undocumented people as criminals.

Their tensions go back to 2016, when Pope Francis said anyone who builds walls instead of bridges is "not Christian" - widely seen as a swipe at Trump's border wall. Trump called the remark "disgraceful" and accused the Mexican government of using the Argentine-born pope as a "pawn."

(RT.com)