Whoopi Goldberg Wants Pope Leo as The View’s Next Co-Host — Here’s Why
Whoopi Goldberg has a heavenly pick for The View’s next Hot Topics seat: Pope Leo. At the Disney Upfronts on Tuesday, the 70-year-old told Us Weekly she wants the American pope in New York, grilling guests with his own questions.
Whoopi Goldberg has a wildcard pick for the next open chair at The View's 'Hot Topics' table: the pope. Yes, really.
'I’d like to have Pope Leo asking people questions... As an American Pope, it would be great to sit with him, and it’d be great for him to sit with us.'
The invite, the moment, the pope
Goldberg, 70, floated the idea at the Disney Upfronts on Tuesday, May 12, name-checking Pope Leo XIV — also 70 — and even pitching him on coming to New York City. Ever since Leo was elected in May 2025 as the first American pope, he keeps popping up on the show for obvious reasons: when the head of the Catholic Church is from the States, daytime TV notices.
Why The View keeps talking about him
Goldberg and her cohosts — Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Farah Griffin — have worked through Pope Leo's takes on peace, abortion, and even cosmetic surgery. Most recently, the table backed him after President Donald Trump went at Leo for publicly hoping for peace amid the Iran war. Goldberg's read on that dust-up during an April episode was straightforward: that is literally the pope's job, and as the first American pope he has every right to speak out — free speech is not a one-way perk.
Whoopi and the popes
Goldberg does not identify as Catholic, but she did meet Pope Francis at the Vatican in October 2023 and, in a perfect piece of synergy, offered him a cameo in Sister Act 3. When Francis died in April 2025, she posted a tribute that basically said he embraced believers and non-believers alike, reminded her of Pope John XXIII, and radiated a real love of humanity and laughter.
Will Leo actually pull up a chair?
Realistically, the papal calendar is not exactly open. But The View is still packing in guests in season 29, and Goldberg says the secret sauce has stayed the same: keep it impersonal and say what you actually think. That is the job description, and she leans into it.
The View airs weekdays on ABC. Check your local listings.