Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Credit: Tiago Petinga - Pool/Getty Images
Just days after Pope Francis passed, Donald Trump gave a very Trump answer when asked who should lead the Catholic Church.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, the 78-year-old said if he had to pick the next Pope, he’d choose himself.
“I’d like to be pope,” Trump said. “That’d be my number one choice.”
His comment came days after Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at age 88 from a stroke and heart failure.
The world mourned the “People’s Pope,” remembered for his compassion and advocacy for the poor.
UK Labour leader Keir Starmer called him a champion for the “poor, the downtrodden, and the forgotten.”
Trump may have been joking — or not — but social media quickly lit up with reactions to his papal fantasy.
Senator Lindsey Graham jumped on board, posting on X:
“I was excited to hear President Trump is open to being the next Pope. A true dark horse!
I ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind about this possibility.
The first Pope–U.S. President combo has many upsides. Watching for white smoke… Trump MMXXVIII!”
Now, back to Trump.
He’s a non-denominational Christian, has been married three times, and is President — not exactly papal material.
Still, he couldn’t resist tossing his hat in the ring.
“I have no preference,” he said, before adding:
“There’s a cardinal from New York who’s very good, so we’ll see what happens.”
That “very good” cardinal Trump mentioned is widely believed to be Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York. He’s not seen as a frontrunner, though Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark is reportedly under serious consideration.
Still, no American has ever become Pope — and that’s unlikely to change now.
The Vatican conclave begins May 7 in the Sistine Chapel. Over 100 cardinals will vote in secret to choose the next pontiff.
To be eligible, candidates must be Catholic, male, unmarried, at least 35, and trained in theology, canon law, or scripture.
Trump checks none of those boxes.
Yet social media is doing its thing — joking, trolling, and turning “Pope Trump” into a trending meme.
As if that weren’t enough, Trump sparked fresh outrage at Pope Francis’ funeral by wearing a navy blue suit instead of traditional black.
Critics called the choice “disrespectful” and “tone-deaf.” One user summed it up:
“The Pope’s funeral called for dignity. Trump came dressed for a campaign rally.”
