There’s never a dull moment regarding former US President Donald Trump.

Whether he’s making headlines for his political ambitions or off-the-cuff remarks, Trump always manages to keep the world talking—and this week was no exception.


During a recent press conference, a reporter threw Trump a curveball: ‘Who do you want to be the next Pope?’

With Pope Francis’ health in the news and speculation swirling about the future of the Catholic Church, it was a timely question.

But Trump’s answer was classic Trump—equal parts cheeky and eyebrow-raising.


‘I’d like to be Pope,’ he quipped, grinning at the cameras. ‘That’d be my No. 1 choice.’

The room erupted in laughter, but the former president wasn’t quite finished.

He went on to mention a more realistic candidate: ‘I don’t have a preference. I might say we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who is very good,’ referring to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York.

The exchange was quickly shared across social media, with clips of Trump’s ‘Pope’ moment going viral. As you might expect, the internet had a field day.

Within hours, social media was flooded with reactions.

Some users poked fun at the idea of ‘Pope Donald’, with one quipping: ‘The only holy thing about him is the golf swing he cheats on. He thinks 'The Cardinal' is just a baseball team.

Others pointed out the, shall we say, 'unique' qualifications required for the papacy.

‘I hate to say it, but we Catholics live by rules that he hasn’t followed. That would be a no-go for the pope. First, you have to be a good person. Second, being a rapist wouldn’t help. Adultery wouldn’t help either. I’m going to just stop there,’ wrote one commenter.

Another joked, ‘I think the prerequisite is 'need to be able to go into a church without bursting into flames.'

Of course, not everyone was convinced Trump was joking. ‘Trump. Does. Not. Joke,’ one user insisted, while another said, ‘We’ve officially crossed into divine comedy territory—minus the divine, just pure clownery.’

While Trump’s papal ambitions are (hopefully!) tongue-in-cheek, this isn’t the first time he’s floated eyebrow-raising ideas.

During his time in office, he famously suggested buying Greenland and even joked about making Canada the 51st state.

Despite the US Constitution's clear two-term limit, he’s also been coy about whether he’d seek a third term as president.

For many, these comments are just part of Trump’s larger-than-life persona—a blend of bravado, showmanship, and a knack for keeping himself at the centre of the conversation.

For those wondering, the answer is a resounding ‘no.'

According to centuries of Catholic tradition, the Pope must be a baptised male Catholic, usually a cardinal, and almost always someone with a long service history within the Church.

Trump, who is not Catholic and has never held a religious office, is about as far from papal material as you can get.

But that hasn’t stopped the jokes. As one wag put it, ‘The man who’s been indicted multiple times, paid hush money, and spreads hate daily wants to be Pope. Now he wants to be the next pope, and God help us.’

You might be wondering why this story is making waves here in Australia.

Well, it’s a reminder that in the age of social media, no comment—no matter how outlandish—goes unnoticed.

It also shows how public figures can use humour (or at least attempts at it) to deflect tough questions and keep themselves in the spotlight.

For our members, it’s a good chuckle and a chance to reflect on the sometimes bizarre intersection of politics, religion, and celebrity culture.

And let’s be honest—after the last few years, we could all use a laugh!


Do you think Trump was just having a laugh, or is there a grain of seriousness in his comments? Have you ever heard a more outlandish suggestion from a world leader? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.