'Do not mock us': Trump scolded by Catholic bishops over AI pope picture

Donald Trump was on the receiving end of a rebuke from the New York State Catholic Conference for posting an AI-rendered picture of himself as the pope just as the Congregation of Cardinals begins deliberations on the replacement for the successor of the late Pope Francis.

With the conclave of 133 electors scheduled to meet on May 7th, the president or one of his aides posted the picture on Truth Social which has set off a mini-firestorm even among some of his MAGA supporters with one Trump fan writing, "I love Trump but his post isnt funny. Pretty scary actually."

The Catholic Bishops of New York State agreed.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, they wrote on the @NYSCatholicConf account, "There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter."

They then added, "Do not mock us."

You can see their post below: