“I want to be Pope,” Trump jokes before Conclave.
When asked about who he wanted to be elected as the next Pope, President Donald Trump joked before saying he had no preference.
WASHINGTON – The White House on Friday posted an image of President Donald Trump dressing Pope X, sparking both backlash and joy on social media.
The photo comes after Trump jokingly told reporters earlier this week that he wanted to be the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church following Pope Francis’ death. “That’s my number one option,” he said at the time.
The image shows Trump wearing a Pope’s hat, white clothing and a necklace with a cross hanging around his neck. He sits in a chair with his index finger facing up.
The image was shared on Trump’s Truth Social and Instagram accounts on Friday.
Republicans on Trump’s account shared the X photo in the caption, “Donald Trump just posted a photo of himself as Pope. At this point it’s total insanity.”
Another user wrote to X: “I’m not an American. I’m not even a Catholic. But as a human, I’m pissed off by this image. Someone in the White House actually chose to repost this.
But it produced some laughs online.
“Trump!!” One user wrote on X with laughing emojis. “evil.”
Francis passed away at the age of 88 on Easter on Monday, April 21st. He was suffering from stroke and heart failure, Vatican Dr Andrea Arkangeri said in a death certificate released last week, Reuters reported. Trump later attended his funeral.
The process of choosing a new Pope includes the Pope Conclave, a private election held behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. There, the 135 Cardinals vote on who will serve as the next head of the Catholic Church. The Pope Conclave is set for May 7th.
Contributors: Mike Snyder, Anthony Robled, John Bacon, USA Today
