Conor McGregor has been slammed for his 'disrespectful' social media post after the election of the first ever American pope.
US Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been chosen as the new pope following the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday last month.
He was confirmed by senior cardinal Dominique Mamberti, who came out on to the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to cheering crowds.
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Announcing the news, he said the famous Latin words 'Habemus Papam', which means 'we have a pope', as thousands gathered in the square below.
The Chicago native, who will take the name Leo XIV, addressed the crowd in his first public words as pope.
"May peace be with all of you," he said.
Leo XIV spoke fondly of his predecessor Francis.
"We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis who blessed us," he added.
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"United and hand in hand with God, let us advance together," he told cheering crowds."
After the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter was confirmed, UFC fighter McGregor took to social media to post a mock picture of himself dressed as the pope.
The AI-generated image was accompanied with the message: "Surprise surprise motherf**ker the king is back!"
But McGregor's post didn't go down well among people on social media as they hit out at the 'disrespectful' nature of his upload.
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One X user wrote: "Disrespectful."
A second added: "Stick to President Conor."
A third slammed: "You don’t represent Christian’s speaking (or acting) like you do."
McGregor, 36, has been inactive in the UFC, having not fought since his TKO defeat to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
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He hasn't won a UFC bout since January 2020 when he beat Donald Cerrone.
McGregor was due to return to the Octagon last summer when he was matched against Michael Chandler.
But he was forced to withdraw from their Las Vegas showdown after he suffered a toe injury.
Topics: Conor McGregor, UFC, Fan Reactions
Nasir Jabbar