Controversy erupted among Catholics worldwide earlier this month when the White House posted an A.I.-generated image of President Trump dressed as the Pope on its official social media account.

The image was also posted to the president's official account on his Truth Social platform. 

Just days prior, the president joked that he would “like to be pope.”

The incident highlights the dangers and concerns about the use of A.I.-generated images, which can be seen by millions and spread in seconds due to social media. While some viewed the image as a harmless joke, others found it offensive and incredibly disrespectful. 

The New York Catholic Conference condemned it as disrespectful, saying, "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." 

Despite the criticism from Catholic organizations, right-wing news outlets have attempted to downplay the controversy. Fox News reporter and former Catholic priest Jonathan Morris said he did not understand why people were so upset about the image during an interview on the America's Newsroom show. 

As for Trump, he denies any responsibility for the post. 

“I had nothing to do with it,” he said while taking questions in the Oval Office. “Somebody made up a picture of me dressed like the pope, and they put it out on the internet. That’s not me that did it, I have no idea where it came from — maybe it was A.I. But I have no idea where it came from.”