Featured Image Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Pope Francis, US News
Gregory Robinson
Topics: Donald Trump, Pope Francis, US News
Donald Trump just weighed in on who he thinks should be the next pope, and in classic Trump fashion, his pick is the most Trump response ever.
In a statement shared on Easter Monday, Cardinal Kevin Ferrell of the Vatican announced Pope Francis had died at 88 that morning.
Following Pope Francis's death on 21 April, his funeral was held on Saturday (26 April), which Trump, along with a few other world leaders, attended.
The Catholic Church has entered a period known as sede vacante and is preparing for a papal conclave to elect his successor, which is scheduled to begin on May 7, 2025.
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A number of cardinals are seen as likely candidates in the upcoming papal conclave, and in the modern era, becoming a cardinal is usually the prerequisite for becoming a pope.
So, who does Trump have his eye on?
The US President has declared he thinks he himself should be the next pope - because, of course.
“I’d like to be pope,” the 78-year-old joked to a reporter (via Sky News). “That would be my number one choice.”
He later gave a more serious response, claiming he has ‘no preference’ and mentioned a cardinal from New York who is ‘very good’.
The cardinal of New York is Timothy Dolan, however, Politico reports that he is not among the frontrunners to succeed Pope Francis.
Plus, there has never been an American pope, which may suggest the odds are stacked against him.
A few viewers on social media shared their opinion at the prospect of Pope Trump, with one person writing: "Has the world not suffered enough?!"
"Embarrassing," another Instagram user said, while a third commented: "POPUS."
Following the announcement of Pope Francis's death, Trump spoke from the White House and announced that he signed an executive order for flags on all US public buildings and military posts to fly at half-mast in tribute to Pope Francis.
Strangely, the announcement was made during the annual White House Easter Egg roll while standing between his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, and the Easter Bunny.
He then used his social media platform Truth Social to announce how both he and Melania were 'looking forward' to attending the funeral - a move that caused a bit of controversy.
Once at the funeral, which took place on the same day as Melania’s 55th birthday, Trump once again angered the public by wearing a blue suit and matching tie instead of black, which is often considered the colour of mourning especially within the Catholic Church.