New Pope

America needs a president, not a troll

The news that we had a new Pope hit just as I was wrapping up this cartoon, so I quickly finished and posted it on social media before the name was announced, even before I sent it to my clients. I don’t know what I was thinking, that the cartoon would have an extra ten minutes of shelf life? As Trump said about the Constitution, I don’t know. Is this cartoon still relevant?

Trump posted an AI-created image of him as Pope. He’s really big about fake photos right now. I think Trump was trying to troll Democrats, but what he ended up doing was insulting Catholics. Catholics can take a joke, but they also know an insult when they see one.

Instead of doing presidential things like lowering egg prices, ending either of the two wars he promised would be over by now, or negotiating tariffs and legislation, Trump was trolling. Later, he denied it.

He said he didn’t know how the AI image ended up being tweeted from his or the White House’s official Twitter accounts. What happened? Did he lose control of his presidency (sic), Twitter account, and bladder all on the same day? Of course not. He lost control of his bladder years ago.

Trump also claimed that the AI image didn’t upset Catholics, but it did, with one priest calling him a “clown.”

Trump couldn’t be Pope, and not because he’s not a baptized Catholic, but because he’s a liar. The Cardinals who select Popes normally don’t go for lying gasbags who lack humility.

Yesterday, I got the idea that President Barack Obama becoming the new Pope would drive Trump and MAGAts over the edge. They would deserve that. President Obama would make a much better Pope than Trump. Obama, unlike Trump, is a good person.

Barack Obama is a Christian and was baptized into the United Church of Christ, which he formally joined in 1988. There’s no confirmation of Trump being baptized, but I’m sure that would make for some nasty water.

What’s funny is that the same people who claim Obama is a Muslim believe Donald Trump is a Christian.

When I first heard the new Pope was an American from Chicago, I thought, “Holy crap. Was I right? Did the Cardinals select Obama?” How could a Cardinal ever select someone from Chicago, unless maybe the new Pope is a White Sox fan (baseball joke).

I was talking to Proofer Laura yesterday, and I told her that I wouldn’t be surprised if they picked an American. And then I thought, “Yeah, I’d probably still be surprised.” I also told her that I expected the Vatican to go back and pick an old European, and probably from Italy.

But they did pick an American, though he’s been serving in Peru his entire adult life, and is even a citizen of that South American nation. They chose Robert Prevost, who is now Pope Leo XIV, which is a great name. Who wants a Pope Bob?

I already like Pope Leo. Though I’m not religious and consider myself agnostic, I recognize the importance and influence of religion, especially the Catholic Church. I was born Catholic but wasn’t raised in the church. After being torn away from the Chicago suburbs, I was thrust into the Baptist Church, which I’m still kinda resentful about.

Now, how long until Trump takes credit for the Pope being an American? Five, four, three, two…

Speaking of Artificial Intelligence: A lot of people don’t see the threat of AI-created “art.” They don’t understand that AI uses artwork stolen from human artists or that AI puts humans out of business. There’s a new movie out where all the background stuff and special effects are AI-generated, and it looks like shit. AI is being used to spread misinformation, and it’s only going to get worse. Now, regular non-artistic people are making AI crap and sharing it on social media like they do with memes. The problem with that is every time you post AI, you’re training it. You’re teaching it how to destroy us.

People will send me memes and cartoons and whatnot because they think something is funny and I should see it. I understand the intent is good-natured, and it’s like sharing a joke. But you don’t have to do that. It just clogs my inbox, and I’m not into that kind of sharing. I do appreciate that you thought of me. The only reason I feel the need to say anything is because I hate giving you a fake laugh (I don’t know how to reply to something that’s just a meh), and there are about 100 readers doing this. Now, some of the “art” I’m receiving is AI-generated.

I hate to do this because it makes me sound like a jerk, but I have a responsibility to swat down your shares of AI into my mailbox. It offends me. It’s an insult. AI is coming to kill us, and I don’t make an exception for any of it. You’re not going to get a chuckle out of me. And when you send it, I have an obligation to tell you that it’s coming to destroy us.

Soon, news outlets will start using AI, and replace writers, photographers, graphic artists, and cartoonists. Publishers and editors are the last people who will notice any difference in quality.

Creative note: I got this idea yesterday after talking to Laura, and I drew it this morning. I was hoping the Cards would take another day or so in selecting a new Pope just so the cartoon would have more shelf life.

Music note: I listened to the Foo Fighters.

Drawn in 30 seconds:

Timelapse:

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