Many Americans watched the funeral coverage of Pope Francis with chagrin, noting the bright blue suit of the president of these United States, which stood out sharply from the prescribed black clothing of other dignitaries who had come to mourn and show their respect. Instead, President Trump seemed eager to be seen.
After seeing the president remark offhand on Fox News, “I’d like to be pope, it would be my No. 1 choice,” Rep. Lindsey Graham excitedly posted on X the president was open to the idea of being the next pope.
Julia Goldie Day
The saga continued with Trump right in the center of attention, as he likes it. The White House social media account posted an AI-generated image of Trump Pope. Many people, including Catholics, were offended.
The Catholic bishops of New York State said on X, “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of Saint Peter. Do not mock us.”
Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic himself, was asked about the image and replied he was fine with people telling jokes and proceeded to attack the questioner.
The Catholics can’t have all the fun.
Baptists are people of the book; we know our Bible precisely because of our identity and belief in the priesthood of the believer. We may not know all the ins and outs of how the successor of St. Peter will be chosen. I’ve only just watched the movie Conclave this week!
But we do know Peter, do we not? Peter, who in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church is the first bishop of Rome and therefore the first pope, holds the keys to the gates of heaven, and is followed in a line of succession to Pope Francis.
Good ole Peter. Peter who denied Jesus three times but was redeemed by his teacher, Jesus. Feed my sheep Peter. Upon this rock I will build my church Peter. Some say Rocky Peter is a better name or title than Peter the Rock. There is a joke built right in.
Baptists have pretty good jokes. And I’ve heard a few. Maybe you’ve heard a St. Peter at the Pearly Gate joke?
Here’s a new one for you to tell:
Donald Trump stands at the Pearly Gate and is greeted by St. Peter. He says to Trump: “I heard you think you could be the pope?”
Trump replies, “I would be the best pope, you know, the best-est ever, the most-est pope-iest, the most popular pope ever known. Everyone knows I could do it.”
St. Peter replies, “Sir, I think you have the wrong number.”
All joking aside, I’m sure the president doesn’t realize the pope is celibate, or a follower of Jesus for that matter. Baptists never have had priests to tell us what to believe in, but I’m pretty sure we can tell Trump is no pope.
Thanks be to God!
Julia Goldie Day is an ordained minister within the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and lives in Memphis, Tenn. She is a painter and proud mother to Jasper, Barak and Jillian. Learn more at her website or follow her on socials @JuliaGoldieDay.
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