The world of politics and religion collided in an unexpected way. A former president stirred controversy by sharing an AI-generated image. The image showed him dressed as the pope, complete with the traditional white cassock and papal headdress. This happened just days before a significant event in the Catholic Church.

The event in question is the conclave, where cardinals gather to elect the next pope. This image, posted on a social media platform, quickly spread and caught the attention of many. It was not well-received by the Catholic community, especially those in Rome preparing for the conclave. Critics saw it as disrespectful and poorly timed.

The image was shared just a short time after the former president attended the funeral of Pope Francis. The Vatican was still in a period of mourning, making the timing of the post even more contentious. Despite the backlash, the former president's team defended the post as a joke, claiming it was meant to be humorous.

Cardinals and other religious figures in Rome were not amused. They saw the image as inappropriate and insensitive. Some even went as far as to call it "silly" and "not funny. " The image also sparked conversations among American tourists in St. Peter's Square, with reactions ranging from "absurd" to "typical. "

The controversy did not stop at the Vatican. In the United States, Catholic groups also expressed their disapproval. They saw the image as mocking the solemnity of the conclave and the recent passing of Pope Francis. The former president's team, however, maintained that he has been a supporter of Catholics and religious freedom.

This is not the first time the former president has faced backlash for AI-generated imagery. Previously, he shared a video imagining a war-torn region as a luxurious resort, featuring a golden statue of himself. The image of him as the pope, however, seemed to hit a different nerve, sparking a debate about respect, humor, and the intersection of politics and religion.

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