Photoshopped image of Trump dressed as Pope posted by the White House sparks international uproar
Just days before the start of the Conclave that will elect the successor to Pope Francis, a photo has gone viral, sparking outrage and controversy worldwide: a photoshopped image of Donald Trump dressed as the Pope, officially posted on the White House’s social media accounts and shared by the president himself on his Truth Social profile.
In the image, Trump wears the papal mitre, cassock, a large crucifix around his neck, and raises his hand in a gesture of blessing. While some of his supporters may see it as a joke, many have found it offensive, blasphemous, and disrespectful.
This isn’t the first time Trump has ventured into this kind of provocation. Recently, he joked that if he could choose, he would “elect himself as Pope,” a statement that had already raised eyebrows and criticism. But this time it’s not just an offhand remark: it’s an image officially shared by the White House’s institutional accounts, just days after the death of Pope Francis.
A wave of criticism on social media
Public reaction was swift and fierce. On social media, especially on the White House’s official Twitter account, many described the gesture as a sign of boundless arrogance and political immaturity, the act of a president who sees himself as above every rule and limit. Harsh judgments poured in: several commentators condemned the move as disrespectful toward the Church and Catholic faithful, particularly inappropriate given the image was released so soon after the Pope’s passing.
Others interpreted the publication as an insult disguised as a provocation, a way to mock the Christian faith while simultaneously pandering to evangelical and Israeli voters. Some even called the image “the most disgusting and disrespectful thing the president has ever posted,” describing it as a symptom of an anti-Christian, anti-clerical drift masked as political satire.
A wound inflicted in a time of mourning
The Catholic Church is living through days of mourning and transition. The death of Pope Francis, which occurred on April 21—Easter Monday—has left a profound void. The official announcement, made at 9:47 a.m. by Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell, marked the beginning of the general congregations in preparation for the Conclave on May 7, which will elect the 267th Pope in history.
In this context of grief, reflection, and expectation, the publication of an image of Trump dressed as Pope has been seen as a gratuitous and unacceptable provocation. Not only toward the Church of Rome, but toward millions of believers around the world who, in these hours, are praying and contemplating the future of Christianity.
Some see this gesture as yet another display of political narcissism, from a president unwilling to accept not being the center of attention. Others describe it as a communications strategy designed to polarize public opinion, energizing his base with powerful symbols, even at the cost of offending religious sensibilities.
A view from Calabria: the sacred is not a meme
From here in Calabria—a land of deep devotion, of centuries-old traditions, of processions and ancient rites—we can only look upon this episode with concern and sadness. Here, where faith remains a vital thread binding communities together, the gesture appears not only disrespectful but profoundly alien to a culture that values reverence for the sacred.
A bitter, pressing question arises: in today’s world, is there still room for respect for the sacred? Or must everything inevitably be reduced to spectacle, provocation, and social media memes?
As the cardinals gather in the Vatican and the faithful join in prayer for the future of the Church, one truth remains: faith is not a costume to be worn for vanity or propaganda. And respect for believers should never become a pawn in political games.
Perhaps, from a small land like ours, still capable of recognizing the value of the sacred, a message can be sent to the world: there are symbols that cannot be profaned without losing something essential.
ARTICLE ALSO AVAILABLE IN ITALIAN: Trump vestito da Papa, provocazione o blasfemia?
