Donald Trump responds to the first American in history being named as the next pope After joking he’d make a good pope himself, Donald Trump has responded to the election of Pope Francis’ successor. Pope Francis passed away last month at age 88 in Vatican City. Following days of speculation, the conclave has now selected his replacement: 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV — notably, the first American pope in history. Despite earlier jokes (and even a photoshopped image of himself as pope), Trump expressed no hard feelings. On Truth Social, he wrote: “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost… What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV.” Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV previously served as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru and led the Order of Saint Augustine for over a decade. The announcement came from St. Peter’s Basilica, after cardinals gathered in Rome for the conclave. A total of 138 eligible cardinals under 80 voted, requiring a two-thirds majority — achieved after two days of ballots in the Sistine Chapel. So while Trump didn’t get the “job,” an American still did — making it a historic moment for the U.S. Catholic community.