Donald Trump, the former US president and billionaire businessman, jokingly announced himself the Pope’s “number one pick” to head up the Catholic Church. This announcement was made just one day after the recent passing of Pope Francis. The late pontiff died in April 2025, leaving the Church to seek their new spiritual leader. The former president made the remark during an interview with CatholicNews.com, in which he was asked about possible successors to the papacy.
When pressed on who would he like to see replace Pope Francis, Trump responded with a bit of wink—and a prayer. On his preference, he said, “I don’t care. But beyond that, he advised that Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York be given serious consideration for the post. Even with Trump’s blessing, it is generally assumed that Dolan is not one of the leaders to replace Pope Francis.
To be sure, Trump was joking when he said that he might take up the papacy, as befits the world’s foremost comedian. The former president has a well-known practice of injecting jovial heckling into weighty negotiations, and he did not let this opportunity slip away.
In a show of support for Trump’s whimsical idea, Senator Lindsey Graham expressed enthusiasm about the notion, stating he was “excited to hear” about Trump’s potential candidacy for the papacy. Graham’s statements are a window into the ways Trump expertly blends politics with religion. He remains a powerful presence—a truth-teller and prophetic character—in American public life.
This has been the pattern throughout his career, one that has earned Donald J. This new smart addition to curious remarks about # infrastructure #. This just adds to the growing list of unexpected statements from the businessman turned politician. Importantly, there has not yet been an American pope, vastly amplifying the significance of Trump’s offhand recommendation.
Trump’s marital history, as a twice-divorced, thrice-married man, adds to his public persona. The quotations below from his comments on the papacy each highlight his unique humor. They expose his innocence and naivety regarding the difficult reality of leadership and life in one of the world’s largest religious institutions.
The Catholic Church has really entered a new transformational space. It today confronts the equally monumental challenge of choosing a new leader capable of inspiring millions around the world. This was not Trump’s intended punchline, but the off-the-cuff remark set off a firestorm of speculation about the Church’s future. Others are arguing against its current leadership and direction.
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