Conservative Catholics from America have traveled to the Vatican with the intention of making significant donations to the church. Their financial support is contingent upon the election of a pope that aligns with their beliefs, following Pope Francis.

With 133 eligible cardinals getting ready for the upcoming conclave on Wednesday, affluent MAGA Catholics have made their way to Rome to influence the decision-making process.

This development comes shortly after President Donald Trump made a controversial statement, expressing his desire to become the pope. He further stirred the pot by sharing an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal attire.

These conservatives, some of whom are linked to the controversial Project 2025, were making a pilgrimage to Rome to take part in the annual America Week fundraising efforts.

But the timing of the Pope’s death meant they were in Rome for the intense pre-conclave period in which electors are intensely lobbied before they head into the Sistine Chapel to make their decision.

They must remain in the chapel cut off from the outside world until the majority agrees on a successor.  

About 80 members from the American Papal Foundation traveled to Rome for the 2025 Jubilee Year.

The foundation is led by Trump’s favored cardinal, Timothy Dolan.

It comes just days after President Donald Trump sparked fury after joking that he would ‘like to be pope’ – only to follow his statement up with an AI generated image of himself in the role

As 133 cardinals who are eligible to vote prepare to take part in the conclave on Wednesday, wealthy MAGA Catholics have descended on Rome to have their say

The Archbishop of New York has also spoken highly of Trump, insisting he ‘takes his Christian faith seriously.’ 

During an event held by the foundation, some of the group’s wealthy members – who must donate at least $1million in order to gain membership – spoke openly about their preferences for the next pope. 

According to the Daily Beast, one guest said: ‘This room could raise a billion to help the church, so long as we have the right pope.’

Trump appeared to back New York’s Dolan for the role, saying: ‘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.’ 

The Catholic Church has historically avoided choosing a pope from any superpower nation – including the United States – to avoid politicizing the role. 

Another MAGA-friendly Catholic network known as the Napa Institute also made the pilgrimage to Rome this year, which happened to coincide with the Pope’s death.

Members met with American Cardinal James Harvey – who will be voting for the next pope – for a private dinner, according to the New York Times. 

Founder Tim Busch had praised Trump for leading ‘the most Christian administration’ he’d seen in his lifetime.

The Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan (pictured) has also spoken highly of Trump, insisting he ‘takes his Christian faith seriously’

Following the tragic death of Pope Francis, Catholics descended upon the Vatican to pay their respects

But Trump courted controversy last week when he first joked he would ‘like to be pope’ and followed it up with an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope, dressed in white and holding his hand up in a blessing.

He and the first lady attended Pope Francis’ funeral last weekend.

The New York State Catholic Conference, which represents bishops in the state, was one of the organizations openly criticizing the president.

‘There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President,’ the group posted on social media. 

‘We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us.’ 

Trump posted the image to Truth Social on Friday evening, and the White House amplified the post on X shortly after.

The conclave will start behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon, with all cardinals under the age of 80 able to vote on who should be the next leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church

Trump and Pope Francis had an at-times testy relationship

The conclave will start behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon, with all cardinals under the age of 80 able to vote on who should be the next leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church. 

They normally reside in the Vatican’s Santa Marta guesthouse, which has en-suite bathrooms and hotel-style room service, but with representatives from 70 countries across five continents, this conclave is the largest ever.

As a result, some cardinals will be housed at Santa Marta Vecchia, a building next door usually typically used to accommodate Vatican officials.

The conclave’s duration is anyone’s guess. Some last a day, others stretch for weeks.

But one thing is certain: the world will know the moment a new Pope is chosen, when a puff of white smoke curls from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, followed by the famous Latin declaration, ‘Habemus Papam.’