Donald Trump jokingly expressed his desire to assume the position of the Pope, stating that he would choose himself for this important and prestigious spiritual role
In a comment to journalists on April 29, the former US president humorously responded to the upcoming election of the new head of the Catholic Church, confessing: “If we’re talking seriously, the Pope? Honestly, I think I would want to be him. That would be my first choice.” However, Trump later emphasized that his joke was just that—a joke—and that he does not favor any of the candidates vying for the role of the next Pope. He also mentioned Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, hinting that he has a high chance of securing the position. “We have a cardinal from New York — a very good man. Let’s see what comes out of this,” he added in conversation, showing a good dose of irony. It should be noted that for Trump, who has been associated with Protestant faith throughout his life, this statement was an unexpected move. In 2020, he openly declared that he did not belong to any specific church denomination, although he was previously accused of belonging to the Presbyterian Church, which spawned many hypotheses about his religious beliefs and his attitude toward the Catholic Church in general. Amid Trump's ironic comments, the Vatican officially announced that the process of electing the new Pope would officially begin on May 7. The election of the new spiritual leader will take place in a closed conclave, kept secret from outsiders, as per tradition. This date was approved during an especially private meeting of high-ranking church officials gathered in the Vatican after the conclave held on Saturday. This was the first such meeting since the funeral of Pope Francis, which left the papal seat vacant and sparked discussions about the future of spiritual leadership in the Catholic Church. Meanwhile, the global press is actively discussing potential candidates for the position of the new Pope. Experts and analysts are already making predictions about who has the best chances of becoming the next spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. Particular attention is given to figures such as Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York — a leader of the local church hierarchy, who is gaining support in some circles due to his religious conservatism and experience. It is expected that during the conclave there will be intense discussions and political ceremonies aimed at selecting a truly new spiritual leader capable of uniting the church during complex times of challenges and change. Signs and forecasts are already triggering lively debates among believers and world leaders, who are watching this historic event with great interest and attention. Overall, the process of electing a new Pope promises to be exciting and tense, as much depends on it for the future not only of the spiritual life of billions of Catholics worldwide but also for the church’s relations with global politics and intergovernmental structures. Analysts predict that this choice will mark new directions in the development of the Catholic Church and its place within the global power elite.