U.S. President Donald Trump ignited backlash on Friday night after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope on his social media platform, Truth Social. The post comes just days after Trump joked in an interview that he would "like to be Pope."

The digitally altered image, which also appeared on the official White House account, has been widely criticized online, with many interpreting it as insensitive in light of recent events.

Pope Francis passed away last month at the age of 88, following complications from a stroke and heart failure, according to Vatican physician Dr. Andrea Arcangeli. Trump had attended the funeral alongside other world leaders.

The timing of the image paired with Trump’s recent quip about succeeding the late pontiff  drew sharp criticism from both religious and secular commentators, many accusing the former president of mocking the Catholic Church and the Pope’s passing.

Social media users did not hold back:

“This is disrespectful to the Church and to God himself… he’s literally the antichrist,” one user wrote.

Another commented: “This is disgusting and entirely offensive.”

“This is extremely disrespectful and narcissistic. Republicans really voted for that,” a third user tweeted.

One critic added, “How disrespectful to Catholics. That is what Trump and his followers are all about  disrespect, meanness, and stupidity. How dare you mock the sacred process of selecting a new pope.”

Trump, 78, was recently asked by a reporter whom he would like to see succeed Pope Francis. He responded with his characteristic bravado: “I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice.”

He later added: “I have no preference. I must say, we have a cardinal out of a place called New York who’s very good, so we’ll see what happens.”