Vance defends Trump’s post depicting himself as pope amid criticism
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Introduction:
The news topic “Vance defends Trump’s post depicting himself as pope amid criticism” has drawn international attention, with various media outlets providing diverse insights, historical context, political stances, and on-the-ground developments. Below is a curated overview of how different countries and media organizations have covered this topic recently.
Quick Summary:
- Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The post appeared on his official Instagram account @realdonaldtrump, then was spread on the Truth Social platform, and even reposted by the official White House account on X. Many social media users deemed Trump’s action as an insult to the Catholic Church and the mourning period. The New York State Catholic Conference, representing bishops including the Archdiocese of New York, issued a statement through X: “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. Do not mock us” U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, a Catholic convert since 2019, defended Trump’s post, saying, “As a general rule, I’m fine with people telling jokes and notfine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen”
- JD Vance defended President Donald Trump after he posted an AI image of himself as pope on Truth Social. Vance is a Catholic and was one of the last people to meet with Pope Francis before his death. The church is set to begin the papal conclave on May 7 to choose a new pope, following the death of Pope Francis, who was 88, on Easter Monday. Trump posted the image a few days after he joked that he’d like to be the next leader of the Catholic Church. He then proceeded to recommend Timothy Dolan, a cardinal based in New York, for the papacy. A U.S. cardinal has never held the position. The official X account for the New York State Catholic Conference criticized Trump’s post, which was also reposted by the White House X account. “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President,” they wrote.
Country-by-Country Breakdown:
Trump’s AI-Generated Pope Image Draws Criticism as Papal Election Nears
Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The post appeared on his official Instagram account @realdonaldtrump, then was spread on the Truth Social platform, and even reposted by the official White House account on X. Many social media users deemed Trump’s action as an insult to the Catholic Church and the mourning period. The New York State Catholic Conference, representing bishops including the Archdiocese of New York, issued a statement through X: “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. Do not mock us” U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, a Catholic convert since 2019, defended Trump’s post, saying, “As a general rule, I’m fine with people telling jokes and notfine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen” Read full article
Vance defends Trump’s post depicting AI-generated image of himself as pope
JD Vance defended President Donald Trump after he posted an AI image of himself as pope on Truth Social. Vance is a Catholic and was one of the last people to meet with Pope Francis before his death. The church is set to begin the papal conclave on May 7 to choose a new pope, following the death of Pope Francis, who was 88, on Easter Monday. Trump posted the image a few days after he joked that he’d like to be the next leader of the Catholic Church. He then proceeded to recommend Timothy Dolan, a cardinal based in New York, for the papacy. A U.S. cardinal has never held the position. The official X account for the New York State Catholic Conference criticized Trump’s post, which was also reposted by the White House X account. “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President,” they wrote. Read full article
Donald Trump posts AI Image of himself as pope, sparks criticism – National
The image was posted on the White House’s official Twitter account. The Vatican is still in mourning for Pope Francis, who died on April 21. The conclave to elect a new pope begins on May 7. The image has been condemned by some in Italy and the U.S. The White House has defended the image, saying it is an image of a man in a suit, not of a pope, and that it is not meant to offend anyone in any way. It has also been criticized for being in poor taste, given that the pope was wearing a suit and a hat when he was killed in a plane crash in March. The photo was taken at the Vatican, which is in the middle of a period of mourning for the pope, who was killed during a papal helicopter crash in Argentina in February. The death of the pope is considered a major event in the Catholic Church. Read full article
Global Perspectives Summary:
Global media portray this story through varied cultural, economic, and political filters. While some focus on geopolitical ramifications, others highlight local impacts and human stories. Some nations frame the story around diplomatic tensions and international relations, while others examine domestic implications, public sentiment, or humanitarian concerns. This diversity of coverage reflects how national perspectives, media freedom, and journalistic priorities influence what the public learns about global events.
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Sources:
- Trump’s AI-Generated Pope Image Draws Criticism as Papal Election Nears
- Vance defends Trump’s post depicting AI-generated image of himself as pope
- Donald Trump posts AI Image of himself as pope, sparks criticism – National
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/05/04/trump-pope-catholic-vance-criticism