Vance supports Trump’s post showing AI-created image of himself in pope attire
The vice president expressed that he is “fine with people telling jokes.”
TroibNews 
Vice President JD Vance came to the defense of President Donald Trump after Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself as pope on Truth Social, characterizing the post as a lighthearted joke.
“As a general rule, I'm fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen,” Vance stated in a post on X in response to a query from Bill Kristol, editor-at-large at The Bulwark, regarding whether he found the post disrespectful toward the pope.
The papal conclave is set to commence on May 7 to select a new pope following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday. Vance, a Catholic, had one of the last meetings with Francis before his passing.
Trump made the post shortly after he jokingly expressed his interest in becoming the next leader of the Catholic Church, claiming he would be his own “number one choice” for the role. He also suggested Timothy Dolan, a cardinal from New York, as a candidate for the papacy, noting that a U.S. cardinal has never held the position.
The official X account for the New York State Catholic Conference criticized Trump's post, which was also shared 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 stated.
Senator Lindsey Graham seemingly participated in the jest, expressing his “support” for Trump as head of the Catholic Church in a Saturday post on X.
“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! Must keep your head down and plow forward — can’t let the naysayers win the day. Next week is crucial as the papal conclave convenes,” Graham wrote.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
“As a general rule, I'm fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen,” Vance stated in a post on X in response to a query from Bill Kristol, editor-at-large at The Bulwark, regarding whether he found the post disrespectful toward the pope.
The papal conclave is set to commence on May 7 to select a new pope following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday. Vance, a Catholic, had one of the last meetings with Francis before his passing.
Trump made the post shortly after he jokingly expressed his interest in becoming the next leader of the Catholic Church, claiming he would be his own “number one choice” for the role. He also suggested Timothy Dolan, a cardinal from New York, as a candidate for the papacy, noting that a U.S. cardinal has never held the position.
The official X account for the New York State Catholic Conference criticized Trump's post, which was also shared 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 stated.
Senator Lindsey Graham seemingly participated in the jest, expressing his “support” for Trump as head of the Catholic Church in a Saturday post on X.
“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! Must keep your head down and plow forward — can’t let the naysayers win the day. Next week is crucial as the papal conclave convenes,” Graham wrote.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
