While Trump’s comments were clearly made in jest, they sparked widespread amusement and some bewilderment. He floated the idea of an American pope and even praised an unnamed cardinal from New York as a worthy candidate. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham joined in the satire, joking on X that Trump could be a “dark horse candidate,” adding, “Watching for white smoke… Trump MMXXVIII!” At Pope Francis’ funeral,
Trump made headlines again—not for prayer, but for his controversial attire and an impromptu conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Though the former president’s papal aspirations are far from reality, they injected a burst of trademark unpredictability into a sacred process watched by over a billion Catholics. With the conclave drawing near, the Church is set to choose its new spiritual leader—just don’t expect Trump to be waiting in the wings.