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The newly appointed Pope hails from America, but don’t jump to conclusions about his alignment with the “Make America Great Again” ideology.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was named the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics on Thursday, taking on the name Leo XIV. This former missionary is expected to act as a counterweight to a specific form of American Catholicism that has gained popularity in Washington, which has become increasingly conservative compared to its global peers. With followers including Vice President J.D. Vance and six of the nine Supreme Court Justices, Leo represents a pivotal figure both domestically and internationally. In Rome, he is often referred to as “The Latin Yankee,” embodying the Vatican’s resistance against the efforts of affluent Americans who are pushing for a Pope sympathetic to former President Donald Trump, who humorously proposed that he could take on both roles of Pope and President at once.
Read More: Trump Endorses Unexpected American Candidate for Pope
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost on his elevation to Pope,” Trump posted on his social media platform. “What an incredible honor to recognize him as our first American Pope. This is a moment of excitement and a great honor for our nation. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV; it will be significant!”
However, similar to his predecessor Pope Francis, Leo may find himself frequently at odds with Trump on pivotal matters like immigration, human rights, and environmental concerns. The new Pope has a history of advocating for racial equity, gun control, and opposing capital punishment.
Read More: Pope Leo’s Views on Key Issues
A potential clash between the U.S. civic leader and the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church appears imminent, especially given Trump’s nationalistic agenda that seeks to leverage Christianity for political gain. Almost immediately after Leo’s election, the MAGA community began to target the new Pope using overtly political rhetoric.
While Trump hastened to congratulate the Chicago-born and Villanova-educated Leo, some of his supporters were less than thrilled. “WOKE MARXIST POPE,” tweeted far-right activist and Trump supporter Laura Loomer, who dismissed Leo as just “another Marxist puppet in the Vatican.”
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Nevertheless, it would be an oversimplification to box Leo into the category of a “social-justice warrior,” as some MAGA supporters might claim. His views on issues like same-sex marriage and transgender rights align more closely with traditional Catholic doctrine, positioning him to the right of his predecessor. Furthermore, how he addresses allegations of abuse will likely become a contentious topic during his papacy. While he is seen as a dedicated spiritual leader, he may lack the charismatic allure that characterized Pope Francis’s time.
Importantly, Leo has been a vocal critic of Trump prior to his papacy, particularly regarding immigration policies. In 2015, he described Trump’s policies as “problematic” and riddled with “anti-immigrant rhetoric.” More recently, he scrutinized Vance, who converted to Catholicism only six years ago, for utilizing his faith to endorse Trump’s immigration stance. “Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” he remarked.
Read More: The Major Challenges Facing Pope Leo XIV
His final message before the conclave to elect a new Pope included criticism of Trump for sharing a stage with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, where they made light of the extrajudicial deportation of immigrants.
Recently, Trump flirted with blasphemy by suggesting he could be a candidate to lead the Catholic Church, even sharing an AI-generated image of himself in papal garb. White House allies dismissed it as a poorly conceived joke, yet many Catholics found the suggestion deeply offensive. By Thursday afternoon, Trump expressed pride in having an American at the helm of the Vatican for the first time.
Read More: Global Leaders React to Robert Francis Prevost’s Appointment as Pope Leo XIV
The dynamic between Leo and Trump is poised to shape both international relations and domestic political landscapes in the coming years.
Roughly one in five Americans identify as Catholic, making this a crucial voting bloc that no political strategist can afford to ignore. Historically, Catholics have made up about a quarter of the electorate, showcasing higher levels of civic engagement than other religious demographics. They tend to be politically flexible: Trump captured 59% of the Catholic vote last year, while Biden, only the second Catholic President, received 52% four years prior, and Trump garnered 50% support in 2016.
This moment is one of immense pride for American Catholics, who are now contemplating what Leo’s appointment means for them. The voting Cardinals send a clear message with each new papal selection. The lingering question is whether Leo was chosen primarily for his American identity or if it reflects his extensive work in Peru and his connection to the late Pope Francis of Argentina. Only time will tell, but many in Washington are eager for insights. This unexpected contender has navigated the intricate Vatican landscape and may alter how Washington perceives the global operations of the Catholic Church. This scenario merits thoughtful analysis rather than quick conclusions.
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