Just back from Rome, where he attended the funeral of Pope Francis, US President Donald Trump eased the seriousness by making a jest about next being chosen to become the new pope.
Questioned on whom he would wish to be chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church, Trump jokingly replied, "I'd like to be Pope," before it was his "number one choice."
But the President soon changed his tone to a more somber one and addressed the possible successors of Pope Francis, stressing that he did not have a specific favorite. He did name Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, as a great contender who would be "very good" for the position. I may say we have a Cardinal who just so happens to be from a place called New York and happens to be good. So we'll see what happens," Trump said.
Lindsey Graham Supports Trump's Light-Hearted Proposal
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, jumping on Trump's statement, went on social media site X (formerly Twitter) to chime in with his own proposal. "I was glad to hear that President Trump is considering becoming the next Pope," Graham posted. "This would be a true dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to remain open-minded about this possibility!"
Public Response: A Combination of Humor and Criticism
Trump's comments soon turned into an internet sensation. His fans seemed to take to the idea, with some even creating memes and AI images of Trump in papal attire. Others were not as amused, though, with some questioning whether or not someone with Trump's past could be fit for the papacy. One user wrote, "Good news is he would no longer be president, bad news is he would be pope."
Others cited possible inconsistencies in Trump's own life, including his marriages and children, with some of his critics even calling the statement narcissistic. "Does the pope typically have 6 children with 3 different women? Lol," tweeted one user.
Meanwhile, others came to Trump's defense, saying that the remark was intended as a joke to sidestep giving a serious response. "This was probably the best answer he could've given," one commenter said.
Timothy Dolan: The Cardinal from New York
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, whom Trump cited, has been the Archbishop of New York since 2009. Dolan is not viewed as a contender in the papal election. The US never had a pope, and Dolan himself participated in the 2013 conclave that chose Pope Francis following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
After the death of Pope Francis, a conclave of around 135 cardinals will soon convene in secret to choose the next pope, although no apparent front-runner has yet emerged
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