During a rally stop in Michigan marking his first 100 days back in office, President Donald Trump surprised reporters by declaring, “I’d like to be pope” when asked whom he’d back as successor to the late Pope Francis. The off-hand remark quickly reverberated through Washington and Rome, drawing a tongue-in-cheek endorsement from Senator Lindsey Graham and fueling discussions about the intersection of politics, faith, and the papal selection process.
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Standing before a sea of supporters in Macomb County, near Detroit, Trump fielded questions about the upcoming papal conclave. Though he conceded he had “no preference,” the president singled out New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan as “very good,” calling the possibility of American pontiffs—once unthinkable—a topic of lighthearted speculation. Dolan, one of ten U.S. cardinals under 80 and thus eligible to vote, is not widely considered a front-runner, but Trump’s nod placed him in the spotlight.
Trump’s full comment:
“I’d like to be pope. That’d be my number one choice. No, I don’t have a preference. I might say, we have a cardinal out of New York who is very good. So we’ll see what happens.”
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Lindsey Graham’s ‘Dark Horse’ Papal Endorsement
Soon after, Sen. Lindsey Graham took to X with a playful message urging the conclave to consider Trump as a “dark horse” candidate. Graham wrote:
“I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope. 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 first Pope-U.S. President combination has many upsides. Watching for white smoke…. Trump MMXXVIII!”
The senator’s tweet—later met with a quip from Meghan McCain urging him to “get a grip”—underscored the surreal blend of political theater and religious tradition unfolding as cardinals prepare for the May 7 conclave.
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Context: Papal Transition and U.S. Political Chatter
Pope Francis died last week at 88, succumbing to complications of lung disease. Leaders worldwide, including Trump and First Lady Melania, attended his funeral in Rome, where Trump met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Back in Washington, talk of Trump’s post-term future dovetails with Patrick Lindsey’s jest:
- Third Term Hints: Trump has hinted at a possible third presidential run, even suggesting VP JD Vance might “pass the baton” back to him in 2028. “Trump MMXXVIII” merchandise has already appeared online.
- Papal Process: Following informal meetings, cardinals will convene May 7 to cast secret ballots; only electors under 80 may vote until a two-thirds majority is reached.
While Trump’s quip and Graham’s humor inject levity, the Christian world readies itself for a solemn conclave. Aware that the next pontiff will guide over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.
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What It Means and What Comes Next
Though there has never been a U.S. pope, Trump and Graham’s banter highlights how American politics can spill into unexpected arenas. As the Vatican readies white smoke signals, Washington watches both to see:
- Who will emerge as the new spiritual leader of the Catholic Church?
- Whether Trump’s attentions remain on earthly campaigns. Or venture into papal pageantry?
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📢 For more on the unfolding “Lindsey Graham Trump Pope” saga, in-depth coverage of the papal conclave. And the latest intersection of politics and religion, stay tuned to TNN. We’ll bring you exclusive analysis on U.S. political maneuvers, Vatican developments. 🚨
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