Donald Trump always knows how to make headlines with unexpected remarks.
The 47th President just weighed in on a major global leadership vacancy.
And Cardinals were left stunned after Donald Trump dropped this bombshell about who should take power at the Vatican.
Trump suggests New York Cardinal for Pope after Francis’ passing
In a surprising turn of events, Donald Trump has thrown his support behind an American candidate for the papacy following Pope Francis’ death at age 88 on Easter Monday.
While exiting a Michigan rally on Tuesday, reporters asked the 47th President who he thought should lead the Catholic Church after Pope Francis.
After first joking about his own candidacy, Trump offered what amounts to an unexpected endorsement of New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
“I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who is very good,” Trump told reporters. “So we’ll see what happens.”
This rare presidential weighing-in on papal succession comes at a sensitive moment for the Catholic Church as it prepares for the conclave to select a new Pope beginning May 7.
Trump’s papal quip draws attention
Before mentioning Cardinal Dolan, Trump responded to questions about the papal succession with his characteristic humor.
“I’d like to be pope,” Trump initially joked with the gathered press. “That would be my number one choice.”
When pressed further about who should succeed Francis, Trump initially claimed indecision.
“No, I don’t know,” Trump said. “I have no preference.”
But the former President then pivoted to highlight Dolan, suggesting the New York Cardinal had impressed him enough to merit consideration for the Church’s highest office.
Cardinal Dolan: An American with Vatican connections
Cardinal Dolan, 74, has led the Archdiocese of New York since 2009 and was elevated to cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
Known for his charismatic personality and diplomatic approach to hot-button issues, Dolan has maintained cordial relationships with leaders across the political spectrum.
Trump’s endorsement puts an unusual spotlight on Dolan as one of only ten American cardinals who will participate in the upcoming conclave.
No American has ever been elected Pope, largely due to concerns about concentrating too much global power in a nation that already wields significant political and economic influence.
Dolan, who studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome and later served as its rector from 1994 to 2001, has deep connections within the Vatican that could prove valuable during the conclave process.
Vatican observers note that while Dolan is considered a theological conservative, he has sometimes taken moderate positions on how to engage with contemporary culture – a balance that could appeal to cardinals seeking a middle path after Francis’ progressive papacy.
Trump and Melania pay respects at Francis’ funeral
Trump’s comments came just days after he and First Lady Melania Trump attended Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican.
While Donald Trump is not Catholic, Melania Trump is, making their attendance particularly meaningful for the First Lady.
The President and Pope Francis had a complex relationship during Trump’s first term, with the two leaders disagreeing on issues like immigration and climate change but finding common ground on religious liberty and pro-life issues.
During a 2017 meeting at the Vatican, the two exchanged gifts in a display of diplomatic courtesy despite their differences on policy matters.
Francis’ death after months of declining health has prompted a global outpouring of tributes from religious and political leaders acknowledging his efforts to reform church governance and his advocacy for marginalized populations.
The conclave process and American influence
The process of selecting a new Pope will officially begin on May 7 when the College of Cardinals gathers in the Sistine Chapel.
Cardinal Dolan will join 131 other cardinals under age 80 in the secretive voting process that continues until someone receives a two-thirds majority.
Trump’s unexpected endorsement raises questions about American influence in what is traditionally a process insulated from political pressure.
Some Vatican experts suggest Trump’s comments reflect a uniquely American view of the papacy that doesn’t fully appreciate the global nature of the Catholic Church and its leadership selection process.
Others note that Dolan’s selection would be historic not just for Americans but for the global Catholic Church, potentially shifting the balance of institutional power that has historically favored European leadership.
Whether Dolan himself welcomes Trump’s endorsement remains unclear, as the Cardinal has not publicly responded to the former President’s comments.
Regardless of whether Trump’s endorsement helps or hurts Dolan’s prospects, the unexpected presidential commentary has thrust the New York Cardinal into a spotlight few American church leaders have experienced during a papal transition.
