President Donald Trump joked on Tuesday that his first choice to replace the late Pope Francis was … himself, a crack that was destined to inspire meltdowns from those who hate him the most.
Trump took a few questions from the press outside the White House as he marked the 100th day of his second term in office, and the topic turned to the imminent conclave during which the Catholic Church’s next leader will be chosen.
“Who do you want to see as the next Pope?” a reporter asked.
“As Pope?” Trump repeated before quipping, “I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice.”
WATCH:
.@POTUS: “I’d like to be pope.” 🤣
“We have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who’s very good, so we’ll see what happens.” pic.twitter.com/WPdRPwHxP9
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 29, 2025
The reporters continued to talk, but were drowned out by the sound of Marine One in the background.
“No, I don’t know, I have no preference,” the president continued. “I must say we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who’s very good, so we’ll see what happens.”
Trump was likely referring to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, one of ten American cardinals who will participate in the conclave and vote on the next pontiff. Critics say that Dolan is a long shot for the church’s highest office himself, largely based on the perception that he is too American.
Some took Trump’s remark as a joke and responded in kind.
“Make Rome Great Again,” one said.
Make Rome Great Again
— Jess Fields (@jessalanfields) April 29, 2025
“The Vatican has a chance to do the funniest thing,” another posted.
The Vatican has a chance to do the funniest thing https://t.co/hf271V1EOL
— The Dank Knight 🦇 (@capeandcowell) April 29, 2025
“You’re not gonna convince me Trump saying ‘I’d like to be pope’ isn’t funny,” said one.
Youre not gonna convince me Trump saying “I’d like to be pope” isn’t funny.
pic.twitter.com/6eh0qqi05u— Timothy HJ Nerozzi (@TimothyNerozzi) April 29, 2025
One posted before he even made the comment, “I feel like Donald Trump wearing this white hat is to remind us that the danger of him becoming pope is slim…*but it’s never zero.*”
I feel like Donald Trump wearing this white hat is to remind us that the danger of him becoming pope is slim…*but it’s never zero.* pic.twitter.com/D7RbEsT1V0
— Emily Zanotti 🦝 (@emzanotti) April 28, 2025
But the critics were not amused.
“I think the prerequisite is ‘need to be able to go into a church without bursting into flames,'” one said.
I think the prerequisite is “need to be able to go into a church without bursting into flames”
— TheGeekReborn (@thegeekreborn) April 29, 2025
“Now he wants to be the next pope, God help us,” another added.
Now he wants to be the next pope, God help us. pic.twitter.com/1VChIzdagI
— 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐊𝐎𝐌𝐒𝐀 | 🇪🇺🇫🇷🇵🇱🇺🇦 (@tweet4Anna_NAFO) April 29, 2025
“Trump. Does. Not. Joke,” one claimed.
Trump. Does. Not. Joke.
— Janice Hough (@leftcoastbabe) April 29, 2025
“Isn’t he already considered the pope of white evangelicals?” another asked.
“Isn’t he already considered the pope of white evangelicals?”
Isn’t he already considered the pope of white evangelicals?
— 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢 (@ChidiNwatu) April 29, 2025
