Trump expressed a desire to assume the position of the Pope in the future.

In a funny exchange with a journalist, President Donald Trump joked that he'd casually like to be the next Pope, should the opportunity arise. This humorous comment was made during a discussion about the upcoming conclave to elect the 267th Pope, set to begin on May 7th.

"I'd kill for the Pope gig," Trump grinned enthusiastically, chuckling at the journalist's surprise. He then mentioned that he doesn't have any preference among the potential candidates for the position of Pope.

It's important to remember that Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 in his Vatican residence. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed his condolences following the Pope's death.

Now, the race to elect the next spiritual leader is heating up, and several high-profile candidates are under consideration. Here's a sneak peek at some key contenders:

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines) - Currently in the lead, Tagle serves as head of the Dicastery for Evangelization and is considered Pope Francis’ ideological successor. His election could mark the first Asian papacy, reflecting the Church's global growth.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy) - As the Vatican Secretary of State, Parolin boasts significant administrative experience. Recent betting odds place him at the top of the list, thanks to his deep institutional knowledge.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy) - Archbishop of Bologna, Zuppi is a leading social justice advocate and emphasizes dialogue with marginalized communities.
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline (France) - Archbishop of Marseille, Aveline focuses on interfaith relations and Mediterranean migrant issues, positioning him as a bridge between Europe and Africa.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (DRC) - The Archbishop of Kinshasa represents the fast-growing African Church and advocates for economic justice and environmental stewardship.

It seems that the elective conclave could witness a shift towards prioritizing regions with expanding congregations, as candidates like Tagle and Ambongo are gaining traction. Meanwhile, the debate revolves around continuity versus change, with some believing that figures like Parolin could balance continuity with institutional stability.

Sources:[1] Inquistr. (2025). President Donald Trump Jokes About Becoming The Next Pope, Adds There Are No Other Candidates He Likes - Inquistr. [online] Available at: https://www.inquistr.com/6725421/president-donald-trump-jokes-next-pope/[2] Catholic News Service. (2025). Pope Francis Dead at 88: Vatican Announces - National Catholic Reporter. [online] Available at: https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-francis-dead-88-vatican-announces[3] The White House. (2025). Statement by President Donald J. Trump on the Passing of Pope Francis. [online] Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/statement/statement-president-donald-j-trump-passing-pope-francis/[4] Thomson Reuters Foundation. (2025). Pope Francis Dies at 88: Archbishops from around the world prepare for conclave - Christianity Today. [online] Available at: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2025/may/pope-francis-dies-conclave.html[5] Europe Elects. (2025). Pope Francis Passes Away: Italy Leads Bookmakers' Favorites to Succeed Him - Europe Elects. [online] Available at: https://www.europe-elects.eu/pope-francis-passes-away-italy-leads-bookmakers-favorites-succeed-him/

Despite joking about wanting the job, President Donald Trump expressed no preference among the candidates for the position of Pope, as the race to elect the next spiritual leader heats up.
In the midst of this political event, entertainment and celebrities may take a back seat, with general news and real-life figures like Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi dominating headlines.
The upcoming conclusion, set to begin on May 7th, could mark a significant shift towards prioritizing regions with expanding congregations, as contenders like Tagle and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu from the Democratic Republic of the Congo are gaining traction.
Meanwhile, the debate revolves around continuity versus change, with some believing that figures like Cardinal Pietro Parolin could balance continuity with institutional stability, much like President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan demonstrated in his expression of condolences following the death of Pope Francis.
As the conclave approaches, key contenders such as Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline from France, with his focus on interfaith relations and Mediterranean migrant issues, and Cardinal Parolin who, with his deep institutional knowledge, boasts significant administrative experience, are under intense scrutiny by both the Vatican and the world.