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Vance defends Trumps post depicting AI-generated image of himself as pope

The vice president said he is fine with people telling jokes.
Pope Francis receives U. S. Vice President JD Vance, left, before bestowing
the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for to the city and to the world) blessing at the
end of the Easter mass.


By Katherine Long

05/03/2025 04:10 PM EDT

Vice President JD Vance defended President Donald Trump after he posted an
AI image of himself as pope on Truth Social, dismissing the post as a joke.

As a general rule, Im fine with people telling jokes and not fine with
people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen, Vance
wrote in a post on X on Saturday responding to a question from Bill
Kristol, editor-at-large at The Bulwark, on whether or not Vance was fine
with this disrespect and mocking of the holy father.

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.
Vance is a Catholic and was one of the last people to meet with Francis
before his death.

Trump posted the image a few days after he joked that hed like to be the
next leader of the Catholic Church, saying that he would be his own number
one choice for the position. 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 Trumps post, which was also reposted by the White House X
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. Do not mock us, they wrote.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S. C. ) seemingly joined in on the joke, showing his support for Trump as head of the Catholic Church in a X post Saturday.

Glad to report there is very positive reception and strong momentum for President Trump to be the next Pope. But I will be first to admit there has been some resistance! , Graham wrote. Must keep your head down and plow
forward cant let the naysayers win the day. Next week is crucial as the
papal conclave convenes. ... More updates to come!

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