President Donald Trump stirred headlines once again on Tuesday after joking that he would like to become the next pope, following the death of Pope Francis last week at age 88.
The comment came during a brief exchange with reporters when Trump was asked who he thought should lead the Catholic Church next.
With a chuckle, Trump responded that being pope would be his top pick, though he quickly clarified that he had no serious preference. He did mention that there’s a capable cardinal from New York, a reference believed to point to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York. While Dolan is not seen as a likely candidate, another American cleric, Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, has been floated among possible contenders.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump had traveled to Rome over the weekend to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America. The funeral marked a rare and solemn occasion, drawing leaders from across the globe.
Trump’s relationship with the late pope was often tense, with the two clashing publicly over issues like immigration. While Pope Francis often championed the rights and dignity of migrants, Trump’s administration prioritized strict border enforcement and deportation.
Now, roughly 135 cardinals will soon enter a secret conclave at the Vatican to select the next leader of the Catholic Church. There is no clear favorite, and speculation continues to swirl over who might rise to the role.
Despite the light tone of his remark, Trump’s comment reflects his ongoing presence in global headlines—not just in politics, but now in religious affairs too. While it’s clear he won’t be entering the conclave, his voice continues to find its way into almost every conversation.