Catholicism has taken on new visibility in American politics in recent years, particularly as the Trump administration has welcomed advisors and officials whose faith plays a central role in shaping their views. But the recent elevation of a U.S.-born pope, rather than uniting conservatives, has sparked division within the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, now Pope Leo XIV, was selected this week as the head of the Catholic Church. His election marked a historic first for the United States. However, celebrations among Trump’s conservative supporters were short-lived. Many have voiced concern that the new pope may not align with the “America First” ethos central to the former president’s platform.
Pope Leo’s political leanings remain largely unknown. He has expressed concern for immigrants and the poor, has chosen a name that may signal alignment with more progressive church leadership, and has a history of supporting Pope Francis. Some of his past online posts have also criticized former President Donald Trump’s policies, particularly on immigration.
Trump offered a brief comment on Leo’s election, calling it a “great honor” for the United States. However, others in Trump’s circle were more vocal and critical. Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist and a practicing Catholic, told the BBC that he was “shocked” by the selection.
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“It is shocking to me that a guy could be selected to be the Pope that had the Twitter feed and the statements he’s had against American senior politicians,” Bannon said, predicting that there will be “definitely going to be friction” between the new pope and the former president.
Pope Leo’s brother, John Prevost, suggested that the pontiff will not remain silent if he disagrees with U.S. policies. In an interview with The New York Times, he said, “I know he’s not happy with what’s going on with immigration. I know that for a fact. How far he’ll go with it is only one’s guess, but he won’t just sit back. I don’t think he’ll be the silent one.”
According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 20 percent of Americans identify as Catholic. Of those, about 53 percent lean Republican. However, American Catholics are far from politically monolithic. Both John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden, the nation’s only two Catholic presidents, were Democrats. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of U.S. Catholics believe abortion should be legal in most cases, a stance that diverges from Church doctrine.
Public sentiment in Pope Leo’s hometown of Chicago has generally been supportive. Rick Stevens, a Catholic deacon from New Jersey visiting the city, said he hoped Leo would continue in the footsteps of Pope Francis. “We hope he’ll continue with Francis’s agenda going forward,” Stevens said.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also welcomed the new pope, stating, “Certainly, we rejoice that a son of this nation has been chosen by the cardinals, but we recognize that he now belongs to all Catholics and to all people of goodwill. His words advocating peace, unity, and missionary activity already indicate a path forward.”
Despite this broader support, some prominent conservative voices have denounced Pope Leo. On Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, guests labeled Leo a progressive and linked him ideologically with Pope Francis. Ben Harnwell, a journalist involved in Bannon’s initiative to promote Western religious values in Rome, said, “He is one of their own… he has Francis’s DNA in him.”
Jack Posobiec, another conservative commentator, claimed the decision to appoint an American pope was intended as a message to Trump. Others, like far-right influencer Laura Loomer, went further, calling the pope “anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis.”
While the Vatican has not confirmed the authenticity of a social media account believed to be linked to Pope Leo, posts dating back to 2015 have criticized Trump-era immigration policy and supported stricter gun laws. One recent post questioned Senator J.D. Vance’s interpretation of Christian love, linking to an opinion piece that argued against ranking love for others by nationality.
The same account also shared a letter from Pope Francis that indirectly criticized Vance’s defense of the Trump administration’s immigration stance. Vance, who converted to Catholicism, has often used his faith to justify nationalist policy positions.
Still, the account has also criticized Democrats. One post linked to an article accusing Hillary Clinton of ignoring pro-life Catholic voters during the 2016 election. Others have supported Catholic employers who refuse to provide contraceptive coverage in health plans.
Vance, now vice president under Trump, attempted to downplay the controversy. “I try not to play the politicization of the pope game,” he said in an interview. “I’m sure he’s going to say a lot of things that I love. I’m sure he’ll say some things that I disagree with, but I’ll continue to pray for him and the Church.”
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Some conservative Catholics remain cautiously optimistic. Commentator Matt Walsh noted, “There are some good signs and bad signs with this new pope. I want to see what he actually does with his papacy before I pass any kind of judgment.”
Bannon, however, warned that tensions between Trump and the Vatican could escalate. “Remember, President Trump was not shy about taking a shot at Pope Francis,” he said. “So if this pope tries to come between President Trump and his implementation of the mass deportation program, I would stand by.”
As Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy, it remains to be seen how his vision for the Church will intersect with the volatile landscape of American politics.
Source: BBC
