Trump Jokes About Becoming the Next Pope as Vatican Prepares for Historic Vote

In an unexpected moment of levity, former U.S. President Donald Trump jokingly declared his interest in becoming the next pope. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump was asked who he would like to see as the next leader of the Catholic Church. His reply:

“I’d like to be pope. That would be my first option.”

While he quickly added that he had “no real preference,” Trump went on to mention a particular American religious figure.

“I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who is very good, so we’ll see what happens.”

Though Trump didn’t name him directly, many speculate he was referring to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the influential Archbishop of New York. However, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, is reportedly among the American clergy being considered as possible successors to the papacy.

The light-hearted comments came just days after Trump and his wife Melania Trump attended the funeral of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, who passed away at the age of 88. The couple visited Rome for the occasion, joining world leaders in mourning a religious figure whose legacy was shaped by calls for compassion, humility, and justice.

Over the past decade, Trump and the late pope had a tense public relationship. Pope Francis was often critical of the former president’s immigration policies, especially those involving deportations and border control. Trump, in turn, questioned the pope’s understanding of U.S. sovereignty and security.

Now, with the seat of the Holy See vacant and no clear favorite to replace Pope Francis, the 135 Catholic cardinals will soon gather in a private conclave to elect a new spiritual leader. The process, conducted behind closed doors, is steeped in tradition and will determine the future direction of the Catholic Church in a time of growing global challenges.

Trump’s remark, while clearly in jest, has sparked a wave of reactions online—from humor to speculation—about the political and spiritual overlap in today’s world.

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