Trump recently joked he would like to be the pope as the Vatican prepares to vote for the next pontiff following Pope Francis’ death last month.

Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, late on Friday, May 2, to share an image of himself in the traditional papal clothing. The official White House social media account later reposted the image on X. The image garnered a mixed response, with one critic saying it was " rather offensive for Catholics."

Catholic cardinals have been celebrating daily Masses in his memory and are due to open the conclave to elect his successor on Wednesday. The death of a pope and election of another is a matter of utmost solemnity for Catholics,