President Donald Trump joked on Tuesday that his first choice to replace the late Pope Francis was … himself, a crack that was destined to inspire meltdowns from those who hate him the most.
Trump took a few questions from the press outside the White House as he marked the 100th day of his second term in office, and the topic turned to the imminent conclave during which the Catholic Church’s next leader will be chosen.
“Who do you want to see as the next Pope?” a reporter asked.
“As Pope?” Trump repeated before quipping, “I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice.”
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The reporters continued to talk, but were drowned out by the sound of Marine One in the background.
“No, I don’t know, I have no preference,” the president continued. “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.”
Trump was likely referring to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, one of ten American cardinals who will participate in the conclave and vote on the next pontiff. Critics say that Dolan is a long shot for the church’s highest office himself, largely based on the perception that he is too American.
Some took Trump’s remark as a joke and responded in kind.
“Make Rome Great Again,” one said.
“The Vatican has a chance to do the funniest thing,” another posted.
“You’re not gonna convince me Trump saying ‘I’d like to be pope’ isn’t funny,” said one.
One posted before he even made the comment, “I feel like Donald Trump wearing this white hat is to remind us that the danger of him becoming pope is slim…*but it’s never zero.*”
But the critics were not amused.
“I think the prerequisite is ‘need to be able to go into a church without bursting into flames,’” one said.
“Now he wants to be the next pope, God help us,” another added.
“Trump. Does. Not. Joke,” one claimed.
“Isn’t he already considered the pope of white evangelicals?” another asked.
