U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in becoming the next Pope following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88. In response to a journalist’s question about the upcoming papal election, Trump remarked, “I want to be the Pope. That would be my number one choice.”
The 78-year-old leader made the comment in a humorous tone. Speaking on Tuesday (April 29), Trump clarified that he doesn’t have a particular preference for the next Pope. However, he mentioned a cardinal from New York whom he considers very good, saying, “Let’s see what happens.”
Trump’s remark appeared to reference Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York. However, sources indicate Dolan is not among the leading contenders. Another American cardinal, Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, is reportedly being considered.
To date, no American has ever been elected to the highest position in the Catholic Church.
Last weekend, Trump and his wife Melania visited Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, the first Pope from Latin America. Over the past decade, Trump and the Pope had publicly disagreed on immigration. While Pope Francis urged compassion toward immigrants, Trump consistently advocated for their deportation from the United States.
Currently, about 135 Catholic cardinals are preparing for a secret conclave to elect the new Pope. No frontrunner has yet emerged.