Donald Trump Sparks Global Uproar by Posting Image of Himself as Pope Days After Francis’ Funeral
In an extraordinary and deeply polarizing move, former President Donald Trump ignited international outrage after posting a digitally altered image of himself dressed as the pope on his social media platform Truth Social—just one week after the funeral of Pope Francis. The post, which featured Trump in full papal regalia seated on a throne beneath the caption “A New Era of Leadership,” came at a sensitive time, as cardinals from around the globe gathered in Vatican City for the sacred conclave to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church.
The reaction was swift and furious. Catholic leaders, political figures, and everyday believers condemned the post as tasteless and egotistical, accusing Trump of exploiting a solemn moment in global religious history for self-promotion. “This is not only irreverent but deeply offensive,” said Cardinal Mateo Bianchi of Argentina. “The Church is in mourning. To insert oneself into that sacred space, especially in such a flippant way, is unthinkable.”
Trump’s supporters, however, lauded the post as symbolic of his self-confidence and his outsider appeal. On Truth Social, the post quickly went viral among his base, with hashtags like #PopeTrump and #DivineDon trending. Some right-wing commentators suggested the post was intended as satire or political commentary on the global leadership vacuum.
In a follow-up statement, Trump defended the image, saying it was “a tribute” to Pope Francis and “a humorous commentary on the need for strength and clarity in leadership—whether in politics or faith.” He added, “Many people are saying I would make a great pope—perhaps the best ever. Certainly better than most. The Church needs winners.”
The Vatican did not officially respond to the post, though sources inside the College of Cardinals expressed “disbelief and disappointment” privately. Vatican press analyst Marco de la Torre noted, “The conclave is supposed to be a time of quiet prayer, discernment, and humility. This kind of interference from political figures—especially one not even Catholic—is disruptive and disrespectful.”
Social media users around the world debated the meaning of the post. Some wondered if it was a calculated distraction from Trump’s ongoing legal troubles, while others saw it as a meme-like stunt in the age of performative politics.
Regardless of intent, the controversy once again placed Trump at the center of the global stage, even if only for a moment. Whether the image will have any lasting cultural or political impact remains to be seen, but the timing and tone of the post ensured it would not soon be forgotten.
As the cardinals continued their deliberations behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel, one thing was certain: Donald Trump had managed, once again, to insert himself into a historic moment with all the subtlety of a thunderclap.
