US conservatives push for hard-right papal candidate
- About 135 Catholic cardinals will enter a secret conclave starting May 7, 2025, to elect the next pope following Pope Francis' death.
- The conclave follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, after complications from stroke-related health issues.
- Conservative factions are promoting traditionalist candidates like Cardinals Robert Sarah and Peter Erdő, while others consider Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle among leading contenders.
- President Donald Trump, jokingly asked about his preference, said "I like to be pope" but clarified he holds no official preference among candidates.
- The election's outcome could shape the Church's direction after Francis' 12-year papacy, with many cardinals unlikely to reverse his reforms fully.
62 Articles
62 Articles
‘Make Vatican Great Again’ push gains momentum ahead of secret papal conclave
Some hard-liners within the Catholic community are vouching for right-wing candidates like Athanasius Schneider, a bishop in Kazakhstan. Schneider is known for his claim that refugees in Europe are a “mass invasion” leading to Islamisation


Donald Trump responds with answer everyone would expect when asked ‘who should be next pope’
US President Donald Trump shared his thoughts on who should replace Pope Francis as leader of the Catholic Church and revealed his 'number one choice'.
'I would like to be next pope'
U.S. President Donald Trump jokingly said on Tuesday that he would like to be the next pope. When asked whom he would like to see become the next Catholic pontiff, Trump told reporters, “I’d like to be pope. That would be my No. 1 choice.” The U.S. president said he actually had no preference, adding, “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.” DAILY POST reports …
Trump jokes about a possible new pope: 'That would be my first choice'
The Vatican announced on Monday that cardinals from around the world will meet in a secret conclave next month to elect the next pope. Donald Trump was asked in an interview who he would most like to see as the new pope.
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