Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has condemned the circulation of AI-generated images portraying former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as the next Pope, terming the trend deeply disrespectful to both Raila and the global Catholic community.
Speaking during a session in Parliament on Tuesday, Passaris rebuked members of Gen Z for photoshopping images of Raila in papal garments in what appears to be a satirical response to the former premier’s repeated, unsuccessful bids for top leadership positions both locally and continentally.
“I have seen a lot of people on social media, the ones who have no respect, painting a picture of a man who lived with God and ruled two billion people as a spiritual leader by putting Raila’s image and Raila in Pope clothes. I think that is so disrespectful,” Passaris said.
She further called on the youth to show reverence for Raila Odinga, the Catholic Church, and the late Pope Francis, emphasizing that such digital content dishonors a spiritual figure who has not yet been laid to rest.
“I want to tell our Gen Zs out there, you should have respect for Raila Odinga, the two billion Catholics, and the pope. He has not even been laid to rest, and you use his passing as a mockery. It is something you should be ashamed of,” she added.
The images, which have been widely shared on social media platforms, emerged in the wake of Pope Francis’ death on Easter Monday, 21st April 2025, following a prolonged battle with double pneumonia. Vatican officials confirmed that the 88-year-old Pontiff passed away at 7:35am at his residence in Casa Santa Marta.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936, Pope Francis led the Catholic Church from 2013 and was widely recognized for his humble lifestyle and progressive stance on several key global issues. Despite his enduring strength, the Pope’s health had been fragile due to a partial lung removal in his youth and frequent respiratory infections in recent years.
According to the Vatican, the Holy Father suffered a stroke followed by a coma and eventual irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. The medical certification was issued by Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State.
In his final spiritual testament, Pope Francis requested a simple burial at the Basilica of St Mary Major with a modest grave bearing only the inscription “Franciscus.”
His burial has been scheduled for Saturday, 26th April 2025.