Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina offered a tongue-in-cheek endorsement of President Donald Trump for pope on Tuesday, following the death of Pope Francis.
The pontiff, known for his progressive stance on issues like immigration and climate change, died on April 21 at the age of 88 from stroke-related complications. His passing sparked global mourning, and the papal conclave to choose his successor is set for next month.
Trump jokingly told reporters earlier that day he would like to be the next pope, calling it his “number one choice.” Graham quickly echoed the sentiment on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a video of Trump’s remarks and urging the Catholic Church to consider the idea: “This would truly be a dark horse candidate… The first Pope-U.S. President combination has many upsides. Watching for white smoke… Trump MMXXVIII!”
Trump and Pope Francis often clashed during the pope’s lifetime, particularly over immigration and climate policy. Despite their differences, Trump paid tribute to Francis on Truth Social after his death, writing, “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!” He later confirmed his attendance at the pope’s funeral.
