What Pope Leo XIV Has Said About Donald Trump's Policies
3 minute readPublished: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 7:22 pm
New American Pope Leo XIV Signals Potential Shift on Trump Policies
The election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, marks a historic moment as the first American to lead the Catholic Church. While the new Pope hasn't issued official statements directly targeting Donald Trump's policies, his past actions and affiliations suggest a potential shift in the Church's stance on key issues like immigration and climate change.
Pope Leo XIV, 69, a member of the Augustinian order, assumed leadership on May 8, 2025. His rise comes at a time when several prominent Catholics hold positions within the Trump administration, including Vice President JD Vance.
Evidence suggests Pope Leo XIV may follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pope Francis, particularly on immigration. His brother, John Prevost, indicated the new Pope's likely alignment with Francis's views, which have been critical of Trump's immigration agenda, including mass deportations.
Prior to becoming Pope, Cardinal Prevost used social media to share content critical of Trump administration policies. He reposted commentary criticizing a 2024 meeting between Trump and the President of El Salvador regarding deportation logistics, and shared an article criticizing Vice President Vance's views on prioritizing love for family and country over others. These actions suggest a continued stance against policies that restrict immigration.
President Trump responded to the Pope's election with praise, while his political base offered mixed reactions. Some far-right figures criticized the Pope's views on immigration. Vice President Vance offered a more measured congratulatory message.
BNN's Perspective: The election of an American Pope undoubtedly adds a new dimension to the relationship between the Catholic Church and U.S. politics. While it's too early to predict definitive policy shifts, the Pope's past actions and the alignment with his predecessor's views suggest a potential for continued critique of policies related to immigration and social justice. This could create interesting dynamics within the American political landscape, particularly as the Church navigates its relationship with the current administration.
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