Pope Trump? 'That would be my number one choice,' says US president; watch video

US President Donald Trump said he'd "like to be pope" and it would be his "number one choice" to be the next leader of the Catholic church.

When asked about whom he would like to see become the next Catholic pontiff, he replied, "I'd like to be pope. That would be my number one choice."

"I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who’s very good, so we’ll see what happens," he added, emphasising that he actually has no preferences.

I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope. This would truly be a dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind about this possibility!
 
The first Pope-U.S. President combination has… pic.twitter.com/MM9vE5Uvzb

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) April 29, 2025

Trump, who is busy serving as the US president, is unlikely to be selected as the next Catholic pontiff as he has been married three times.

Following the death of Pope Francis this month, the 2000-year-old institution is searching for a new leader.

According to reports, the archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan, is not on the short list of frontrunners to succeed Francis. According to Reuters, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, the archbishop of Newark, New Jersey is in the list.

Trump and first lady Melania attended the funeral of Pope Francis last week in Rome.