US President Donald Trump has once again sparked bewilderment and controversy after stating he would like to become the next Pope. The comment was made in response to a question about who he would prefer to see as the new head of the Holy See. Without hesitation, Trump replied, “I would like to be Pope. That would be my main choice.”
The statement comes amid preparations for the upcoming secret conclave at the Vatican on 7 May, where Roman Catholic cardinals will elect a new Pope. This will be the first conclave held since the funeral of Pope Francis. According to Vatican sources, the late pontiff donated nearly all of his money to a juvenile prison prior to his death.
Although Trump followed up his comment with a vague remark about a competent American cardinal not from New York, he offered no specific preferences for a successor to Pope Francis. Trump’s latest comment adds to a long list of headline grabbing remarks that appear more aimed at self promotion than diplomacy or global leadership.
Previously, Trump said he would like the next Pope to be American, a view that many in the international Catholic community found inappropriate, given the Church’s longstanding traditions and global diversity.
This latest episode reinforces criticism that Trump continues to prioritise personal ambition and media spectacle over respect for global institutions. While his political rhetoric often draws attention, his latest comment about the papacy has been seen as both unserious and disrespectful by many observers.
