President Donald Trump made a quip about the papacy, suggesting he might be a suitable candidate for the next pope ahead of an April 29, 2025, rally in Michigan marking his first 100 days back in office. This comment came amidst discussions about the health of Pope Francis and the potential for a new papal selection.
According to Newsweek, Trump told reporters, “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice.” He seemed to be joking, but with Trump’s track record, it’s hard to know.
On a more serious note, Trump added, “No, I don’t know, I have no preference…I must say we have a cardinal [Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York since 2009] that happens to be out of a place called New York who’s very good.”
The president’s comment was met with a mix of amusement and criticism. Some viewed it as a lighthearted moment, while others saw it as inappropriate given the solemnity of the papal office and the current concerns about Pope Francis’ recent death
This isn’t the first time Trump has made headlines with comments about the late pope. In 2016, during his first presidential campaign, he engaged in a public exchange with Pope Francis over immigration policies, with the pope questioning the Christian nature of building walls, and Trump responding by calling the pope’s comments “disgraceful.”
“I was honored to participate in the conclave that elected Pope Francis”
NEW: President Donald Trump jokes, “I would like to be pope,” when asked who he would like to see elected. Trump added he had no preference but mentioned Cardinal Dolan from New York according to the pool report. @EWTNNewsNightly pic.twitter.com/3RYPmqHJkP
— Toby Capion (@TobyCapion) April 29, 2025
As for Dolan, he commented on Pope Francis’ recent passing. “I was honored to participate in the conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013, and to have welcomed him here to New York in 2015,” Dolan’s statement said in part.
Dolan added, “He touched us all with his simplicity, with his heart of a humble servant. Trusting in the tender and infinite mercy of Jesus, we pray that he is, even now, enjoying his eternal reward in heaven.”
The conclave begins May 7
me and oomfs rewatching conclave tonight pic.twitter.com/Yv0EL2di4T
— leah (@evenstqrs) April 21, 2025
Regardless of Trump’s pick, the conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor will commence on May 7, 2025, in the Sistine Chapel. A total of 135 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, with approximately three-quarters appointed by Francis himself, suggesting a preference for continuity in Church reforms.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State; Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, president of the Italian Episcopal Conference and Archbishop of Bologna; and Cardinal Luis Tagle, former Archbishop of Manila and current Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, are reportedly among the leading candidates. The conclave is expected to last two to three days, with cardinals voting up to four times daily until a two-thirds majority elects the new pope.
Published: Apr 29, 2025 03:53 pm