President Donald Trump made headlines with his lighthearted remark about wanting to be the next Pope. This playful political commentary demonstrates his continued influence in promoting conservative viewpoints within significant religious institutions. Who is most likely to get the most support among conservative Catholics?
Trump’s Papal Aspirations and Humor
During recent comments following Pope Francis’s funeral, President Donald Trump jokingly expressed his desire to become the next Pope. “I’d like to be pope,” Trump quipped to reporters, adding, “That would be my No. 1 choice.”
The lighthearted remark came after Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended Pope Francis’s funeral. Though Trump offered no serious preferences for the next pontiff, he did mention Cardinal Timothy Dolan from New York as a worthy candidate.
Yay or nay?? pic.twitter.com/EXPqUVD4RM
— Rito (@RitoMetax) April 29, 2025
Cardinal Dolan’s Conservative Standing
Cardinal Timothy Dolan has shown support for Trump in the past, recognizing his Christian faith and suggesting that assassination attempts strengthened Trump’s belief in a higher purpose. Dolan once remarked, “I think the assassination attempts kind of renewed in him, ‘There’s something beyond me that I think is watching over me, and it’s got a task for me.'”
While Dolan appears to align with Trump’s conservative values, he is notably absent from the shortlist of papal contenders. Another American, Cardinal Joseph Tobin from Newark, New Jersey, is included among potential candidates, even though there has never been a pope from the United States.
The Coming Conclave and Conservative Hopes
Approximately 135 Catholic cardinals under the age of 80 will participate in a secret conclave to elect the next pope. Conservative Catholics are reportedly hoping for a return to traditional values after Pope Francis’s more progressive papacy, which often embraced more liberal stances on various social issues.
Trump and Pope Francis had a somewhat contentious relationship over the years, particularly regarding the pope’s advocacy for compassion toward migrants. The late Pope Francis was the first pontiff from Latin America, and his progressive approach to Catholic doctrine represented a significant departure from his more traditional predecessors.
The selection of a new pope comes at a critical time for the Catholic Church as it navigates evolving social attitudes while maintaining its doctrinal foundations. Many MAGA-aligned Catholics are looking for leadership that will move away from Francis’s more liberal positions, particularly regarding LGBTQ issues.
Trump’s humorous endorsement of Cardinal Dolan highlights the intersection of religious leadership and political alignment in America. The president’s continued influence in conservative circles extends beyond politics into religious matters, demonstrating his role as a significant voice in shaping conservative viewpoints across multiple domains.