In a surprising and humorous twist, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) threw his support behind an unconventional – and entirely unofficial – candidate for Pope: former President Donald Trump.
This unexpected endorsement came shortly after Trump himself joked with reporters outside the White House about his “desire” to be Pope.
“I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice,” Trump said while preparing for a rally in Michigan to mark the 100th day of his second term.
Trump added that he had no particular preference for who should lead the Catholic Church, though he mentioned New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan as “very good.”
Graham seized on Trump’s comment, sharing a tweet that read, “I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope.”
His post continued with enthusiasm, calling Trump a “dark horse” candidate for the papacy and urging the Catholic faithful to “keep an open mind.”
The tweet concluded with a dramatic flourish: “Watching for white smoke… Trump MMXXVIII!” This playful gesture quickly sparked reactions online.
Reactions and Pushback
The tweet from Graham, though lighthearted, didn’t go unnoticed.
Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late Senator John McCain, responded bluntly, urging Graham to “Get a grip” in her post.
The online buzz highlighted how unexpected and bold such a suggestion was, even though it was made in jest.
Meanwhile, Trump’s remarks come as the Vatican prepares for a historic papal conclave following the death of Pope Francis.
The pope passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, after battling complications from a stroke and a long-term lung disease.
With the world now watching the Catholic Church for the next papal election, Trump’s comments seemed to add an element of humor to a solemn situation.
The Possibility of Trump as Pope?
While Trump’s suggestion was clearly playful, there’s a certain intrigue surrounding the possibility of him being considered for the position, even though it’s not a realistic expectation.
According to canon law, the Pope doesn’t have to be a cardinal, priest, or bishop—but must be Catholic.
Trump was raised Presbyterian and only confirmed as a child, but in a 2020 statement, he described himself as “a nondenominational Christian.”
For him to truly become a papal candidate, he would need to convert to Catholicism before the papal conclave, which is set to begin on May 7, 2025.
In any case, the papacy remains a highly complex and symbolic office, and it’s clear that Trump’s tongue-in-cheek remark was not meant to be taken seriously.
The Real Contenders for Pope
Trump’s mention of Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York as a possible candidate for Pope reflects his recognition of respected figures within the Church.
Dolan has voiced his thoughts on the upcoming papal election, suggesting that the new Pope should possess some of the same qualities as Pope Francis, known for his progressive approach.
He emphasized that the next pope should not be labeled as conservative or liberal, but rather as a unifying figure for the Catholic Church, transcending political divides.
Dolan’s vision of the papacy focuses on unity and faith, rather than partisan politics—a sentiment that Trump himself has acknowledged.
Trump’s History with Pope Francis
Trump and Pope Francis’ relationship has been marked by both praise and criticism over the years.
When Pope Francis was elected in 2013, Trump, then a real estate mogul, congratulated him on his selection, calling him a “good man” who was “loved by people who know him.”
However, their relationship took a downturn after Trump became president.
Pope Francis famously criticized Trump’s proposal to build a border wall, stating that a person who focuses solely on building walls and not bridges “is not Christian.”
The Pope also expressed concern over Trump’s immigration policies, particularly his mass deportations.
Despite these tensions, Trump praised the Pope after his death, describing him as a “fantastic kind of a guy” during a White House speech on Easter Monday.
Trump later traveled to Rome to attend the Pope’s funeral, continuing to speak highly of the late pontiff.
A New Chapter for the Catholic Church
As the papal conclave approaches, the world is focused on selecting the next leader of the Catholic Church, a task that carries significant religious, political, and historical weight.
While Trump’s playful remarks may have lightened the mood, the selection of the next pope will undoubtedly remain a serious and solemn affair, with the Cardinals considering the legacy of Pope Francis and the direction they want the Church to take in the future.
Whether or not Trump’s name will ever be seriously considered for the papacy is a matter for the history books.
But for now, his brief flirtation with the idea offers a glimpse into the humor and unpredictability of political discourse.