After the Passing of Pope Francis, Trump Sets His Sights on the Papacy

The world was taken by surprise when former U.S. President Donald Trump, now 78, jokingly suggested himself as the successor to Pope Francis. The pontiff passed away on Easter Monday (April 21) at 88, following a stroke that led to a coma and subsequent cardiac failure.

Pope Francis, known by his baptismal name Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had a legacy as the “People’s Pope.” He was esteemed globally for his dedication to social issues, earning respect from prominent figures such as UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer who commended his commitment to aiding the poor and marginalized.

The election process for a new pope is scheduled to commence on May 7, when more than 100 cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel for the traditional conclave.

While the idea of becoming pope may intrigue many, the position is not open to just anyone. Specific criteria must be met: candidates need to be male, unmarried, at least 35 years of age, baptized within the Catholic Church, and educated in theology, canon law, or scripture.

Even though Trump identifies as a non-denominational Christian and lacks any formal ties to Catholic practices, he boldly stated his preference: “I’d like to be Pope,” he quipped to a journalist, saying it would be his top choice.

Trump’s Bold Remark: A Mix of Humor and Surprise

Although his comment about being pope was made in jest, it didn’t go unnoticed. The audacity and humor in his suggestion added a unique twist to the conversation.

His non-Catholic background alone disqualifies him from candidacy, yet he mused about the possibility of an American pope being quite appealing. He even referenced a cardinal from New York as a “very good” candidate, although he did not disclose the name.

Adding to the amusement, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina chimed in on the idea.

Graham took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to light-heartedly advise the conclave to “keep an open mind,” dubbing Trump a “dark horse candidate” while humorously advocating for a pope-president hybrid: “Watching for white smoke… Trump MMXXVIII!”

Trump’s Presence at Pope Francis’ Funeral Causes Stir

At Pope Francis’ funeral, Trump did not go unnoticed. Critics commented on his choice of attire and his interactions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before the ceremony, which some found inappropriate for the occasion’s somber nature.

His comments, while not serious, introduced a typical flair of unpredictability to discussions around one of the globe’s most revered roles.

As the conclave nears, the Catholic Church prepares to chose a new shepherd to lead over a billion faithful followers. However, it seems likely that Trump’s name won’t appear among the potential candidates.