President Donald Trump joked Tuesday that he'd "like to be pope" as he prepared to leave for Michigan. While speaking to reporters outside the White House, he was asked who he wanted to see lead the Catholic Church after Pope Francis' death. "I'd like to be pope," Trump said. "That'd be my number one choice."
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at age 88 after years of health issues. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the funeral Mass on Saturday at the Vatican. During the trip, the president also met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Pressed again on who he supported for pope, Trump said he had no firm opinion. "No, I don't know. I don't have a preference," he said. "I might say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who is very good. So we'll see what happens," he added, referring to Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
Trump is not Catholic, but his mention of Dolan raised eyebrows. Dolan is one of 10 U.S. cardinals eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave. While canon law allows any baptized Catholic male to be pope, the choice almost always comes from within the College of Cardinals.
The Vatican is scheduled to hold the papal conclave in May. Church leaders from around the world will gather to select the next pope. The selection process is steeped in tradition and secrecy.
Trump's comments came just before he departed for Macomb County, Michigan. He’s set to hold a rally marking his 100th day back in office. The visit adds to his pattern of returning to Michigan for key political moments.
Michigan has been a familiar stop in Trump’s campaigns. He ended all three of his presidential runs with rallies in the state. That includes wrapping up his victorious 2024 bid in Grand Rapids.