Trump’s Papal Ambition
- President Donald Trump, known for his self-assuredness, quipped about wanting to be the next Pope as the Vatican finalizes preparations for the conclave to elect Pope Francis's successor.
- When reporters at the White House asked Trump who he favored to lead the Catholic Church, the 78-year-old responded, "I would like to be a Pope.
- while Trump did not explicitly name him, his comments likely referred to Cardinal timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York.
Trump Jests About Papal Ambitions as Vatican Prepares for Conclave
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former U.S. President Donald Trump, known for his self-assuredness, quipped about wanting to be the next Pope as the Vatican finalizes preparations for the conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor.
When reporters at the White House asked Trump who he favored to lead the Catholic Church, the 78-year-old responded, “I would like to be a Pope. That would be my first choice.” He then added, “No, I don’t know. I have no preference,” before mentioning a “very good” American cardinal from New York.
Trump Hints at Support for Cardinal Dolan
while Trump did not explicitly name him, his comments likely referred to Cardinal timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York. Dolan, 75, a prominent conservative figure, was considered a potential papal candidate in 2013 following Benedict XVI’s resignation. He also delivered the opening prayer at Trump’s inauguration.
In December,Cardinal Dolan told PIX11 that he believes in Trump and that faith is growing. He added he doesn’t know “how someone can be president of the United States without a deep belief.” Dolan also referenced the two alleged attack attempts during Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, saying, ”I think he rose a little again,” suggesting Trump felt a sense of divine intervention.
Vatican Announces Details for Papal Conclave
The Catholic Church is preparing to select a new Pope following the death of Pope Francis. The conclave, involving cardinals eligible to vote, is scheduled to begin on May 7.
The Vatican announced that the cardinals will gather in St. Peter’s Basilica at 10 a.m. for the “Pro Elendo Romano Pontifice” Mass, dedicated to the election of a new Pope. In the afternoon, at 4:15 p.m., they will convene in the Cappella Paolina within the Apostolic Palace before processing into the Sistine Chapel at 4:30 p.m.
The Vatican has released few details beyond the schedule. Traditionally, cardinals swear an oath to uphold the conclave’s regulations and maintain strict confidentiality. The master of ceremonies then orders all non-voters to leave the chapel with the call “Extra Omnes,” clearing the way for the initial ballot on the first day. Subsequent days will consist of two rounds of voting in the morning and two in the afternoon. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new Pope, and there is no set time limit for the conclave.
two Cardinals to Miss Conclave
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told reporters that two of the 135 cardinals eligible to vote will be absent due to health concerns.Bruni did not disclose their identities. Antonio Cañizares, the 79-year-old emeritus archbishop of Valencia, previously announced he would be unable to travel to Rome for health reasons. Vinko Puljic,the emeritus archbishop of Sarajevo,also cited health issues for his absence. However, Puljic later told Radio Medjugorje that his doctor had cleared him to travel.
Trump Jests About Papal Ambitions as Vatican prepares for Conclave: your Questions Answered
Here’s a breakdown of the recent news about Donald Trump’s comments on being Pope and the upcoming Vatican conclave.
What did Donald Trump say about wanting to be Pope?
Former U.S. President Donald Trump jokingly expressed interest in becoming the next Pope while the Vatican prepares for the conclave.When asked by reporters, he stated, “I would like to be a Pope. That would be my frist choice.” He then added, “No, I don’t know. I have no preference.”
Did Trump endorse any specific candidate?
While Trump made no explicit endorsements, he did mention a “very good” american cardinal from New York.
Who is the “very good” American cardinal Trump mentioned?
It’s highly likely that Trump was referring to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York.
Why might Trump support Cardinal Dolan?
Cardinal Dolan is a prominent conservative figure who delivered the opening prayer at Trump’s inauguration. The article also mentions that Cardinal Dolan believes in Trump and that faith is growing, further hinting at a potential alignment between the two.
What is a Papal Conclave?
A papal conclave is a meeting of the College of Cardinals to elect a new pope.It’s held after the death or resignation of a Pope.
When is the next Papal Conclave scheduled to begin?
According to the Vatican,the conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor is scheduled to begin on May 7.
Where will the conclave take place?
The conclave will be held at the vatican City in Rome. Specifically,the cardinals will gather in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Cappella Paolina, and the Sistine Chapel.
What is the schedule for the conclave?
The Vatican has announced the following schedule:
Morning: The day will begin with a Mass, “Pro Elendo Romano Pontifice,” at St. Peter’s basilica at 10 a.m., dedicated to electing a new Pope. This will be followed by two rounds of voting.
Afternoon: The cardinals will convene in the Cappella Paolina within the Apostolic Palace at 4:15 p.m. and then process into the Sistine Chapel at 4:30 p.m. followed by two more rounds of voting.
What happens during the Papal Conclave?
Here’s a simplified overview:
- Oath and Secrecy: Cardinals eligible to vote swear an oath to uphold the conclave’s regulations and maintain strict confidentiality.
- “Extra Omnes”: The master of ceremonies orders all non-voters to leave the chapel with the call “Extra Omnes,” clearing the way for the initial ballot.
- Voting Rounds: Subsequent days involve two rounds of voting in the morning and two in the afternoon.
- Election: A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new Pope. there is no set time limit for the conclave.
How many cardinals are eligible to vote in the conclave?
According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, there are 135 cardinals eligible to vote.
Will any cardinals be absent from the conclave?
Yes, two cardinals will be absent due to health concerns. The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, did not disclose their identities. However, the article mentions Antonio Cañizares and Vinko Puljic as cardinals who have cited health issues.
Can you summarize the key facts about the Papal Conclave?
Here’s a summary of important facts:
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To elect a new Pope following the death of the previous pope, Francis. |
| Date | Scheduled to begin on May 7 |
| Location | Vatican City, Rome (st. Peter’s Basilica, Cappella Paolina, Sistine chapel) |
| who votes? | Cardinals eligible to vote (135) |
| Voting Process | Multiple rounds of voting until a two-thirds majority is reached. |
| Secrecy | Strict confidentiality is maintained. |