Trump Jokes About Wanting to Be Pope, Attends Pope Francis' Funeral at Vatican
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- Apr 29
- 2 min read
Driving The News
Former President Donald Trump joked with reporters that he’d like to be the next pope, calling it his “number one choice.” The remark came just days after he and former First Lady Melania Trump attended the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City.
What He Said
As Trump was leaving for a rally in Michigan on Tuesday, he was asked who he would prefer to see as the next head of the Catholic Church. Trump responded:
“I’d like to be pope. That’d be my number one choice.”
He quickly added he had no real preference, but mentioned a notable American cardinal:
“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.”
This was a reference to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York. Trump is not Catholic.
Context: Pope Francis' Death and Funeral
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at age 88. He had been dealing with several health issues.
Trump and Melania attended the funeral Mass held at the Vatican on Saturday.
During his time in Rome, Trump also met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
What’s Next: Papal Conclave in May
The Catholic Church will hold a papal conclave in May to select the next pope.
This gathering includes cardinals from around the world who will vote on Pope Francis’ successor.
While technically any baptized Catholic man can become pope, tradition holds that the next pope will be chosen from the College of Cardinals.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan is one of 10 U.S. cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave.
Between The Lines
Trump’s comment about becoming pope was clearly a joke, but it reflects his long-standing tendency to inject humor and headline-making lines into political conversation, even in matters of global religion.
His mention of Cardinal Dolan could be interpreted as a subtle nod to an American playing a larger role in Vatican affairs, though there’s no indication Dolan is a serious contender.
The Political Angle
Trump made the pope remark just before heading to Macomb County, Michigan.
He was there to mark his 100th day back in the Oval Office, following his re-election in 2024.
Michigan, a key battleground state, has been a frequent campaign stop for Trump. He ended each of his three presidential campaigns with rallies in the state, including his final 2024 event in Grand Rapids.
Bottom Line
Trump’s light-hearted comment about wanting to be pope made headlines, but the focus now shifts to the Vatican, where church leaders will soon begin the process of selecting Pope Francis' successor.
Comments