The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria has stated that it will issue an official response to United States President Donald Trump’s controversial AI-generated image portraying him dressed as the Pope, but only after verifying the image’s authenticity.
Very Rev. Fr. Mike Nsikak Umoh, the National Director of Social Communications at the CSN, made this known in an interview with Vanguard in Abuja on Wednesday.
He stressed the importance of conducting a thorough verification before making any formal comment on the matter.
“I sent it to my ICT officer to verify the source and any associated promotions. Until I do, I can’t say anything definite,” Umoh stated.
While acknowledging the wide circulation of the image, Umoh warned of the dangers of misinformation, especially when it involves global public figures such as Trump.
“We also know it’s entirely possible for this sort of thing to be fabricated,” he added.
The image in question — which Trump shared on his social media shortly after the death of Pope Francis — has sparked strong condemnation from the New York State Catholic Conference.
The group described the post as disrespectful and untimely, issuing a firm rebuke to the former president.
“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,” the conference said in a statement.
The digitally altered image, which depicts Trump dressed in papal robes, was reportedly reposted by the official White House account, further amplifying public reaction.
While some found the post amusing, others expressed outrage, questioning Trump’s motives and sensitivity during a period of mourning for the Catholic Church.
Adding to the controversy, Trump jokingly commented, “I’d like to be pope,” a remark that has further complicated perceptions of his understanding of religious traditions and decorum.
As of press time, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria has yet to make a conclusive statement, pending the outcome of its verification process.
