ALBAWABA - After posting a provocative photo of himself wearing the Vatican pope's ceremonial attire, former US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy on social media. His Instagram account shared the photo on Saturday, and it went viral right after.
Many people think the photo was produced by artificial intelligence, but Trump did not provide a caption for it. But its timing and character set off a chain of events that ranged from public condemnation to amusement and praise.
This message comes after Trump made a mocking remark last week when he stated he "would like to become the pope," in response to a query from a journalist.
The picture was taken at a delicate moment as the Vatican gets ready for the May 7 conclave to choose a new pope after Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88. To choose the next head of the Catholic Church, 133 cardinals will convene within the Sistine Chapel for a series of secret votes, per official protocol.
Strict customs will govern the centuries-old procedure, in which black smoke denotes a lack of agreement and white smoke marks the election of a new pope.
Trump's AI-generated picture has come under fire for being disrespectful as the Church begins this time of serious contemplation and deliberation.
