The new Pope may be American, but he is no fan of president Donald Trump, according to his social media posts.
Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the first American Pope on Thursday, becoming the religious leader of Catholics across the globe.
The newly appointed Pope, who will be referred to as Pope Leo XIV, has openly criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policies multiple times and has shown his backing for progressive issues.
On April 14, his most recent retweet condemned the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an undocumented immigrant and Maryland resident, to El Salvador by the Trump administration.
The post reads: ‘Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?’
Pope Leo XIV has also highlighted several articles discussing JD Vance’s viewpoint on immigration, including one titled: ‘JD Vance is mistaken: Jesus doesn’t urge us to prioritize our love for others.’
Back in 2017, Pope Leo reposted a message in support of DACA recipients – those undocumented migrants brought to the US by their parents when they were children.
Pope Leo’s stance on immigration should come as no surprise, as he spent the majority of his career in Latin America, even becoming a naturalized citizen of Peru.
The new Pope, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV, has criticized the Trump administration’s moves on immigration repeatedly and expressed support for progressive causes
On Thursday, as he addressed the world as Pope for the first time, he spoke in Spanish as well as Italian.
Chants of ‘Leon, Leon’ ran through the crowd who still appeared to be shocked with many mouthing ‘An American?’.
The first American born Pope, Cardinal Prevost emerged in recent days as a contender for the papacy.
The tennis loving cardinal – who is also known as Father Bob – is seen as the ‘least American of the Americans’ and is seen as a silent reformer who would carry on the work of Pope Francis.
President Trump said on Thursday: ‘Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!’
Provost’s election as Pope shocked the world, as there has long been a taboo against a U.S. pope, given the geopolitical power already wielded by the United States in the secular sphere.
President Trump said on Thursday: ‘Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!’
Provost’s election as Pope shocked the world, as there has long been a taboo against a U.S. pope, given the geopolitical power already wielded by the United States in the secular sphere. But Prevost is also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop
But Prevost is also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.
He was a popular choice with the Latin American and North American cardinals, although he has kept his views on topics such as women clergy and same sex unions noticeably quiet.
Prevost was also twice elected prior general, or top leader, of the Augustinian religious order, the 13th century order founded by St. Augustine.
Pope Francis clearly had an eye on him for years, moving him from the Augustinian leadership back to Peru in 2014 to serve as the administrator and later archbishop of Chiclayo.
In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo said, ‘Peace be with you,’ and emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization. He wore the traditional red cape of the papacy — a cape that Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013.
