A New Era Begins: Pope Leo XIV Becomes the First American Pontiff — But Trouble May Be Brewing
Cheers erupted in St. Peter’s Square as white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of a new pope. Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago has officially become Pope Leo XIV — the first American in history to ascend to the highest seat of the Catholic Church.
The momentous announcement on May 8 marked a turning point not only for the Vatican but also for the United States, with global headlines celebrating the 69-year-old’s groundbreaking election. Tributes quickly poured in from U.S. leaders, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who hailed the appointment as a proud moment for American Catholics.
But behind the congratulatory facade, murmurs of transatlantic tension are already surfacing.
While Senator Vance has voiced enthusiastic support for the new pontiff, insiders suggest the feeling may not be mutual — raising questions about how the Vatican’s relationship with Washington might evolve under Leo XIV’s leadership.
Trump and Vance Praise New Pope, But Tensions Rise Over “Anti-Trump” Allegations
After the historic election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were quick to offer their congratulations. Trump took to Truth Social to celebrate the milestone:
“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!”
Vance, similarly eager to show his support, tweeted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election! I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!”
But while Trump and Vance are celebrating the new pontiff’s election, a potential rift may be looming on the horizon. Critics are already labeling Pope Leo XIV as “anti-Trump,” and there are indications that the Pope may not be as enamored with American politics as his supporters would hope.
Is Pope Leo XIV “Anti-Trump”?
MAGA supporters have raised eyebrows over the Pope’s past statements, suggesting a divergence in views that could lead to friction between the Vatican and Washington. In particular, Pope Leo XIV has not shied away from critiquing some of the rhetoric espoused by Vance and others in the MAGA camp.
A verified X account linked to the new pope shared an article in February from National Catholic Reporter that took aim at Vance’s interpretation of Christian teachings. The op-ed directly challenged the Vice President’s controversial remarks on Fox News, where Vance argued that Christians should prioritize their love for family, neighbors, and community before extending their compassion to the rest of the world.
The article, titled “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others”, resonated deeply within the Catholic community. Vance’s 2019 conversion to Catholicism only added fuel to the fire, raising questions about whether the Pope, a figure of immense spiritual influence, would find common ground with a political figure whose worldview has often clashed with more progressive Christian ideals.
As the dust settles from this historic papal election, it’s clear that the relationship between Pope Leo XIV and the U.S. administration may not be as seamless as some had hoped.
Pope Leo XIV Takes a Stand Against Trump and Vance: Signs of Tension with U.S. Leaders
By resharing a critical article on X, Pope Leo XIV made his stance on key U.S. political figures crystal clear — and it wasn’t in support of Vice President JD Vance.
The latest move came in mid-April when the new pontiff shared a post from a Catholic commentator who criticized both Donald Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. The criticism centered around their lighthearted comments regarding the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident.
The post linked to an article from The Catholic Standard, in which Bishop Evelio Menjivar raised an uncomfortable question for the Catholic community: “Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?”
This move, coming from Pope Leo XIV, further solidifies the emerging narrative that while American political leaders are lining up in support of the new pope, he’s not afraid to challenge their views — especially when they stray from the core principles of the Catholic Church.
For those hoping for a seamless relationship between the U.S. government and the Vatican, these recent actions suggest that Leo XIV may not be shy about calling out American leaders when their actions or words conflict with the Church’s teachings.
