Although he is American, the newly appointed pope seems to oppose Donald Trump’s immigration policies as indicated by his statements on social media.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, originally from Chicago, was elected as the first American Pope on Thursday, assuming leadership of the 1.41 billion Catholics globally.
Known as Pope Leo XIV, the former missionary has openly criticized the immigration policies of the Trump administration. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 30-year-old undocumented immigrant and father of three from Maryland, was deported to El Salvador under the Trump administration, which he condemned in his final retweet on April 14.
The post states, ‘Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you.’ Pope Leo XIV, aged 69, also shared multiple articles discussing the immigration perspectives of Catholic JD Vance, including one titled ‘JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.’
Additionally, Pope Leo referenced a 2017 statement supporting DACA recipients, unauthorized immigrants brought to the US as minors by their parents.
In a 2018 post, Pope Leo expressed, “A policy that separates children from their parents and confines them in cages is devoid of any Christian, American, or moral justification. This action is conducted in our name, and the collective shame belongs to us all.”
A letter from the Catholic leaders of Peru, dated 2018, expressed gratitude to the Trump administration for its efforts in halting the separation of migrant children from their parents, and was included among the communications that explicitly criticized Trump’s immigration policies.
The letter referenced Peru’s experience in managing significant migration from Venezuela, stating, ‘In our Latin American region, particularly in Peru, we possess experience in addressing migration.’
Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost on his recent appointment as Pope. It is a remarkable honor to acknowledge that he is the first American Pope. This is an exhilarating moment and a significant honor for our nation. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to meet Pope Leo XIV, as it will undoubtedly be a moment of great significance.
Vice President Vance expressed his congratulations to Leo XIV, the inaugural American Pope, on his election. He stated that millions of American Catholics and other Christians are likely to pray for his effective leadership of the Church. He concluded with a blessing, wishing God’s favor upon him.
Given the current geopolitical supremacy of the United States in secular matters, the election of an American pope has traditionally been deemed unacceptable; thus, Provost’s ascension to the papacy surprised the world.
However, it is noteworthy that Prevost is also a Peruvian citizen and has dedicated several years to the country, initially as a missionary and subsequently as an archbishop. Although he has refrained from commenting on topics such as same-sex unions and the ordination of women, he garnered significant support from cardinals in both Latin America and North America.
Furthermore, Prevost has been elected twice as the prior general of the Augustinian religious order, founded by St. Augustine in the thirteenth century. In 2014, he was reassigned from the Augustinian leadership back to Peru to take on the roles of administrator and later archbishop of Chiclayo, reflecting Pope Francis’ sustained interest in him.
In his inaugural address as Pope Francis’ successor from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo conveyed a message of peace, communication, and missionary evangelization, stating, ‘Peace be with you.’
He wore the traditional crimson cape of the papacy, which Francis had chosen not to don during his election in 2013. On the second day of the conclave, the crowd in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel. ‘Viva il papa!’ the audience exclaimed, while priests made the sign of the cross and nuns wept with joy.
The senior cardinal deacon made his appearance on the loggia one hour later, proclaiming ‘Habemus Papam!’ and announcing Prevost as the victor. Tens of thousands of individuals, brandishing flags from various nations, eagerly awaited the revelation of the winner.
Pope Leo XIII, an Italian who led the Catholic Church from 1878 to 1903, was the last pontiff to adopt the name Leo. His 1891 encyclical, Rerum Novarum, addressed issues related to capitalism and the rights of workers, while also softening the church’s previously adversarial position towards modernity, particularly in relation to science and politics. This encyclical established the foundation for modern Catholic social thought.
