It was one of those moments where satire meets surrealism, where the political theater turns Vatican-level absurd.
On the 100th day of his return to the White House, President Donald J. Trump, basking in the spotlight outside the West Wing, casually tossed a verbal grenade into the already tumultuous swirl of post-Easter headlines: “I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice.”
Yes, that Pope.
As the press pool collectively choked on its lukewarm Starbucks, the president’s off-the-cuff papal ambition sent social media into a full-blown theological meltdown. The former real estate tycoon, reality TV star, and thrice-married father of six mused about succeeding Pope Francis—a man known for humility, spiritual depth, and, well, being Catholic.
The Vatican, predictably, did not respond.
The statement—delivered with Trump’s usual cocktail of bluster and irony—came days after the death of Pope Francis, who passed away peacefully on Easter Monday at the age of 88. The late pontiff, beloved by millions, had spent twelve years gently steering the Catholic Church through turbulent modern waters, his papacy marked by progressive reform and a soft-spoken plea for compassion.
Trump, never one for soft-spoken anything, offered an awkward walk-back moments later. “No, I don’t know, I have no preference. We have a cardinal out of a place called New York who’s very good,” he said, as if suggesting his own spiritual MVP in the lineup for the Holy See.
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Funeral Follies
If the Pope’s funeral was meant to be a solemn moment of global mourning, Trump missed the memo. He and First Lady Melania Trump were spotted whispering and smiling during the Mass, drawing scrutiny from mourners and cameras alike. While dignitaries from around the world donned black in reverent harmony, Trump stood out like a casino boss at a monastery in a bright navy suit. Observers also noted he was seen texting mid-service.
Social media was swift and merciless. One user asked, “Does the pope usually have 6 children with 3 different women?” while another quipped, “Isn’t he already the pope of white evangelicals?”
The reaction from Catholic and secular voices was similarly barbed.
“Narcissistic delusion. Dude is not even Catholic and shows no adherence to Christianity or its principles,” posted one X (formerly Twitter) user.
“A pope is wise, intelligent, modest, humble and altruistic. Trump is the total opposite,” wrote another.
And in a sharp rebuke of character, a commenter summarized: “First you have to be a good person. Second, being a rapist wouldn’t help. Adultery wouldn’t help either.”
Trump: "I'd like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice." pic.twitter.com/VHB5VPdoV9
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 29, 2025
Pontifical Pipe Dream or PR Ploy?
Was it a joke? A jab at the solemnity of religious tradition? Or just another Trumpism tossed into the ether for headlines?
Political observers note that Trump’s comments come at a time when his support among evangelical voters remains strong—but his Catholic backing has faltered. “This is classic Trump: pivot to pageantry, provoke outrage, then pretend it was satire all along,” noted political analyst Dana McGrath.
To be clear, the rules of the papacy do not forbid a non-cleric from ascending to the role. Technically, any baptized male Catholic could be elected. But let’s be honest: the chances of a man who once hawked steaks, owned a strip of casinos, and had a golden toilet in Trump Tower becoming the Bishop of Rome are about the same as him joining a Franciscan monastery.
Still, it makes for an unforgettable headline—and perhaps that was the point all along.
In the theater of Trump, every moment is campaign season. Every microphone is a pulpit. And every outrageous statement is one tweet away from going viral.
