As the former president of the Blair County branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, I feel the necessity to address an almost unbelievable act by President Trump.

The AOH is the largest Irish-American organization in the USA.

That Donald Trump would, with the assist of AI, depict himself in papal vestments, seated on the Chair of Saint Peter.

This was released during the sacred period of mourning after the death of Pope Francis.

This is grossly inappropriate. It is a blatant affront to all Catholics and an attack on our belief in the sanctity of the Papacy.

That the president of the U.S. would digitally insert himself into the role of the Victor of Christ while millions of

Catholic and non-Catholics mourn a pope who embodied compassion, humility and a quiet strength, this is beneath what we would expect from the U.S. presidency. This is the type of juvenile humor we might expect from Mad Magazine, not the Oval Office.

I do note and commend this administration has been vocal in condemning antisemitism.

I honestly doubt that the White House would ever publish an AI generated depiction of the president dressed as an Orthodox Rabbi at the Wailing Wall. Catholics and our faith deserve the same respect.

As a third generation president of The Ancient Order of Hibernians, I call upon President Trump to issue a direct and unqualified apology to the entire Catholic community.

Bernard A. Joyce

Altoona