Daniel Conderman 
Your Eminences, the Esteemed College of Cardinals,
The Conderman Group, a collective of forward-thinking visionaries, humbly addresses you as you prepare for the sacred conclave to elect the next Vicar of Christ. We stand at a pivotal moment in the Church’s history, where bold leadership is needed to restore trust, confront internal crises, and project moral strength to a world in turmoil. With utmost respect for your divine responsibility, we propose an audacious yet profoundly compelling candidate for the papacy: Donald J. Trump, the 47th President of the United States.
You may raise an eyebrow—Trump, a Pope? Yet, hear us out, for this is no jest but a vision rooted in the reality of his unparalleled leadership. The Church faces challenges that demand a shepherd with global influence, unyielding resolve, and a proven record of disrupting corrupt systems. Trump embodies these qualities, and we believe he could usher in a transformative era for the Catholic Church, addressing its most pressing issues with vigor and conviction.
A Global Voice for the Faithful
Donald Trump is a communicator without equal, commanding the attention of millions through his direct, unfiltered style. His mastery of media—evident in his historic political comebacks and massive social media presence—would amplify the Church’s message to every corner of the globe. Imagine papal encyclicals trending on X, homilies going viral, and the Gospel reaching the youth in ways Pope Francis, with his focus on traditional outreach, could not. Trump’s English fluency, a rarity among recent pontiffs, would make him a universal ambassador for Catholicism in an English-dominated digital age, as noted by historian Miles Pattenden as a potential advantage for an American Pope.
A Crusader Against Corruption
The Church’s credibility has been wounded by the scourge of clerical abuse, a crisis that demands decisive action. Trump’s track record of confronting entrenched elites makes him uniquely suited to root out this evil. As President, he championed policies to protect the vulnerable, including strengthening law enforcement to target predators. His pledge to “drain the swamp” in Washington translates seamlessly to the Vatican, where he could enact sweeping reforms to ensure no abuser hides behind the Church’s sacred mantle. By deporting pedophiles—removing them from positions of power and ensuring justice—he would send a clear message: the Church protects its flock, no exceptions. His outsider status, untainted by Vatican politics, mirrors Pope Francis’s initial appeal as a reformer from Latin America, but with a fiercer edge to tackle systemic rot.
A Defender of Tradition and Sovereignty
Trump’s alignment with conservative values resonates with the growing traditionalist movement within the Church, as evidenced by 56% of U.S. Catholics voting for him in 2024, according to John Yep of Catholics for Catholics. His emphasis on national sovereignty and secure borders parallels the Church’s need to preserve its spiritual identity against secular erosion. Trump could reaffirm timeless Catholic teachings on life, marriage, and family, countering perceptions of drift under progressive influences. His friendship with figures like Cardinal Timothy Dolan, whom he has publicly praised, signals his respect for the Church’s hierarchy while maintaining independence to challenge its status quo.
A Financial and Diplomatic Powerhouse
The Vatican’s reported €83 million shortfall demands a leader with financial acumen. Trump, a billionaire with a proven ability to negotiate complex deals, could stabilize the Holy See’s finances, attracting ethical investments while safeguarding Church assets. His diplomatic triumphs, such as the Abraham Accords, demonstrate his ability to bridge divides, a skill vital for navigating the Church’s diverse global flock. A Trump papacy could strengthen ties with the U.S., the world’s largest economy, ensuring the Church’s influence in a shifting geopolitical landscape.
A Charismatic Reformer for a Divided Church
The conclave on May 7, 2025, will be the most geographically diverse in history, reflecting Pope Francis’s legacy of inclusivity. Yet, this diversity risks fragmentation without a unifying figure. Trump’s larger-than-life persona—honed through decades in business, media, and politics—could galvanize the faithful, from Manila to Miami. His ability to connect with the marginalized, as seen in his outreach to working-class Americans, aligns with the Church’s mission to the poor, even if his methods differ from Francis’s. His resilience against criticism, weathering storms that would fell lesser leaders, equips him to navigate the ideological battles within the Church, from progressive cardinals to conservative factions.
Addressing the Improbable
We acknowledge the unprecedented nature of this proposal. Trump is not a priest, nor celibate, and his Presbyterian background diverges from Catholic tradition. Yet, the papacy has seen laymen and converts in its history, and canon law allows flexibility in extraordinary times. His public admiration for the Church, expressed during his 2017 Vatican visit and at Pope Francis’s funeral, reveals a heart open to its mission. With divine guidance and your discernment, these obstacles could be surmounted, just as the Church has adapted to crises before.
A Vision for a Great Church
Picture a Vatican revitalized: St. Peter’s Square packed with pilgrims chanting “Make the Church Great Again!” A Pope Trump, resplendent in white, wielding the crozier with the same gusto he broughtto the White House, would be a spectacle of faith and fortitude. He would deport the corrupt, reform the Curia, and restore the Church as a beacon of truth. The Conderman Group envisions a papacy that shocks the world yet heals the Church, leveraging Trump’s deal-making, media savvy, and relentless drive to confront evil head-on.
We respectfully request an audience to discuss this vision further, confident that your wisdom will weigh its merits. The Holy Spirit moves in mysterious ways, and perhaps, in Donald J. Trump, it has sent a servant to lead the Church into a bold new era.
With profound respect and prayers for your sacred task,
The Conderman Group
