New York Bishops condemn Trump for inappropriate joke after Pope's death

The Catholic bishops of New York have publicly condemned US President Donald Trump for making an inappropriate joke after the death of Pope Francis. The corresponding statement was published on May 3 on the account of the Catholic Conference of the state on the social network X (ex. Twitter).

Addressing the American leader, church representatives noted that there is "nothing clever or funny" about his image in papal robes.

"We have just buried our beloved Pope Francis, and the cardinals are gathering for a solemn conclave to elect a new successor to Saint Peter. Don't mock us," the Catholic conference said in a statement.

The Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan, also considered the image published by Trump inappropriate. The US president did not make the best impression, the hierarch said during a conversation with reporters in Rome.

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On May 3, Trump posted an image on the Truth Social social network, in which he is shown in the image of the pope. In the photo, the head of state is sitting on a gilded throne, dressed in a white cassock. At the same time, Trump did not write any text to the image.

Pope Francis died at the age of 89 on the morning of April 21 as a result of a cerebral stroke. He last appeared in public on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica during Easter celebrations on April 20. It was reported that the pontiff had been struggling with bilateral pneumonia for a long time.