Trump Jokes About Becoming Pope After Death of Francis

U.S. President Donald Trump joked on Tuesday that he’d like to succeed Pope Francis, who passed away last week at the age of 88. When asked who he would prefer as the next leader of the Catholic Church, Trump quipped, “I’d like to be pope. That would be my No. 1 choice.”

He clarified that he had no real preference but added, “We have a cardinal from a place called New York who’s very good, so we’ll see what happens.” Trump appeared to be referring to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York. However, Dolan is not seen as a leading contender. Among the few Americans considered possible candidates is Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey.

There has never been a U.S. pope in Catholic Church history. The upcoming papal conclave, involving 135 cardinals from around the world, will convene soon to elect a new pontiff, though no clear frontrunner has emerged.

Trump and his wife Melania recently traveled to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff. The former president and the late pope had a complicated relationship, often clashing over immigration. Pope Francis consistently called for compassion toward migrants, a group Trump frequently targeted with strict deportation policies.

The lighthearted remark from Trump adds an unusual twist to the solemn lead-up to the Vatican conclave. With global attention focused on who will lead the 1.3 billion-member Catholic Church next, Trump’s comment quickly drew headlines but is not being taken seriously within Vatican circles.

The College of Cardinals is expected to hold the secret election in the coming weeks, with discussions likely centered on global leadership, Church reform, and outreach to underserved communities.