Senator Lindsey Graham Backs Donald Trump as a ‘Dark Horse’ Candidate for Pope Amid Vatican Leadership Change in Washington, DC

In a surprising twist, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) threw his support behind an entirely unofficial and rather humorous candidate for the position of the next Pope: none other than former President Donald Trump.

This endorsement came just hours after Trump made a playful comment to reporters outside the White House, where he jokingly stated, “I’d like to be pope.

That would be my number one choice.”

While Trump, on his way to Michigan for a campaign rally, clarified that he had “no preference” for the Church’s leadership, he did mention that Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York was “very good.”

Graham quickly seized on Trump’s lighthearted remark, tweeting his enthusiastic support:

“I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope,” he wrote.

He continued with a tongue-in-cheek appeal to the papal conclave, saying, “This would truly be a dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind about this possibility!” The senator ended his tweet with a dramatic flourish:

“Watching for white smoke… Trump MMXXVIII!” The response was swift and mixed, with Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late Senator John McCain, quickly firing back with a blunt “Get a grip.”

Trump’s Papal Aspirations Amid the Vatican’s Leadership Transition

Trump’s comments came as the Vatican prepares for a historic papal conclave to choose the next pope, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025.

Pope Francis, who served as the first Jesuit pope, passed away at 88 after complications from a stroke and a lengthy battle with lung disease.

His death has set the stage for a significant moment in the Catholic Church, with the College of Cardinals expected to gather to select his successor.

While Trump joked about his aspirations, the Catholic Church’s canon law is clear that the pope must be a Catholic, and Trump was confirmed as a Presbyterian as a child.

However, he did describe himself as a “nondenominational Christian” in a 2020 statement.

For Trump to be considered for the papacy, he would need to convert to Catholicism before the conclave begins on May 7, 2025.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the Search for the Next Pope

On a more serious note, Trump expressed his admiration for Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, as a potential candidate for the papacy.

Trump mentioned Dolan’s qualifications during a conversation with reporters, stating that the Cardinal “is very good” and that the Church would “see what happens.”

Cardinal Dolan, in turn, has spoken publicly about his vision for the next pope, suggesting that they should embody some of the characteristics of Pope Francis, particularly his ability to bridge divides and emphasize unity.

Dolan, in a recent interview with Fox News, emphasized that the Catholic Church should not be categorized as liberal or conservative, as American politics often does.

Instead, Dolan stressed that the Church should focus on unity, with believers as disciples and brothers, rather than falling into political camps.

Trump’s Complex Relationship with Pope Francis

Trump’s relationship with Pope Francis has been marked by moments of both admiration and tension.

Initially, Trump expressed support for the Pope when he was elected in 2013, congratulating him on his appointment.

However, their relationship soured after Trump became president. Pope Francis publicly criticized Trump’s immigration policies, particularly his stance on building a border wall, calling such actions “not Christian.”

This remark caused friction between the two figures, especially as the Pope sent letters to American bishops criticizing Trump’s second term immigration actions.

Despite their disagreements, Trump praised Pope Francis after his death, calling him “a good man” who “worked hard” and “loved the world.”

Trump also attended the Pope’s funeral in Rome, where he described the late pontiff as “a fantastic kind of guy.”

Looking Forward to the Papal Conclave and Trump’s Legacy

As the Vatican prepares for the conclave, many will be watching closely to see who emerges as the next leader of the Catholic Church.

Although Trump’s playful comments about becoming pope were likely made in jest, they have nonetheless sparked significant conversation and added a layer of intrigue to an already historic moment.

As the Church enters a new era of leadership, the legacy of Pope Francis and the direction the Church will take next are on the minds of many, including those like Trump who, for better or worse, continue to shape political and cultural discussions around the globe.