The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has stated it will issue a response to the controversial AI-generated image of former President Donald Trump dressed as the Pope, but only after verifying its source. Very Rev. Fr. Mike Nsikak Umoh, the National Director of Social Communications at the CSN, explained that the Secretariat is conducting a careful review before making any public statements.
Speaking with Vanguard in Abuja, Umoh confirmed that he had sent the image to his ICT officer for authenticity checks. He noted the importance of confirming the details before responding, stressing the potential risks of misinformation, especially when high-profile figures like Trump are involved.
The image, which Trump shared shortly after Pope Francis’ death, has sparked criticism, particularly from the New York State Catholic Conference. They condemned the image, calling it disrespectful and inappropriate, especially during the period of mourning following Pope Francis’ passing.
Trump’s lighthearted comment about wanting to become the Pope has further complicated the reaction, as it draws both laughter and disbelief. The image, also shared by the official White House account, continues to provoke mixed responses from the public.
