President Trump joked that he would "like to be pope" before suggesting a New York cardinal be Pope Francis' successor.

Before leaving a rally Tuesday in Michigan, Trump told reporters, "I'd like to be pope," when asked who he thought should lead the Catholic Church following Pope Francis' death. "That would be my number one choice."

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at age 88 following health issues. Trump, who is not Catholic, and first lady Melania Trump, who is Catholic, attended Francis' funeral mass on Saturday at the Vatican.

"No, I don't know," Trump also said when pressed by reporters about replace Francis. "I have no preference. I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who is very good. So we'll see what happens.

Trump was referring to Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

Dolan is one of 10 U.S. cardinals who will participate in electing a new pope beginning May 7, Fox News reported.