A fake image of Pope Francis in a white puffer jacket ignited questions about the future of truth online. In March 2023, an image of Pope Francis wearing a stylish white Balenciaga-style puffer coat went viral across every major social media platform. With its cinematic lighting and absurd contrast to the Pope’s typically modest attire, …
The AI-Generated Pope Photo That Fooled Millions and Sparked a Global Ethics Debate
A fake image of Pope Francis in a white puffer jacket ignited questions about the future of truth online.
In March 2023, an image of Pope Francis wearing a stylish white Balenciaga-style puffer coat went viral across every major social media platform. With its cinematic lighting and absurd contrast to the Pope’s typically modest attire, the photo spread like wildfire — and for several hours, many believed it was real.
It wasn’t.
The image was generated using AI — specifically, a tool called Midjourney, designed to create photorealistic pictures from text prompts. The user who created it later admitted it was meant as a joke, but the implications were anything but humorous.
Within 24 hours, the image had been shared by millions, including major influencers and even a few media accounts. The confusion was widespread, prompting global conversations about the speed at which misinformation can travel — especially when powered by generative AI tools that can fool even the savviest internet users.
Free SignUp Membership Required
You must be a Free SignUp member to access this content.
Already a member? Log in here
