The Rise of a New American Pope: The Unholy Alliance between the Papal Throne and the White House
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U.S. Religious Leader Meets with Outspoken Leader, Discussions Ensue - American Cleric and Self-proclaimed President Exuding Pride
The politically charged, unpredictable, and divisive United States of America has another feather in its cap—the Pope. For the first time in history, an American has been elected as the leader of the Catholic Church. Dawn, a devout US Catholic woman, stands outside a St. Matthew's church in Washington, chuckling about her initial impulse to sing "God Bless America" upon hearing the news. "But honestly," she says with a chuckle, "the Pope is the Pope of the universal Church. And if he were only a Pope for America, that would be a really bad thing."
The silver-hairedwoman exudes enthusiasm for the new Pontiff's name choice, Leo XIV. In her view, it aligns with the traditions of Leo XIII, who was a champion of the working class and a crusader for social justice. Thus, she anticipates "wonderful things" from the new Pope.
People rush to the next church upon hearing the news from Rome, not just in the capital. Near Dawn, a mother and her adult daughter eagerly wait to learn who the new Pope would be and where the Church is headed. Teresa, the mother, explains that they couldn't be more excited about the new Pope, regardless of his nationality. "We loved Pope Francis," Teresa reminisces, extolling his qualities of compassion and mercy.
Trump's tumultuous relationship with the Vatican
For Donald Trump, certainly, the news is an opportunity to grab headlines. Shortly after the shocking announcement from Rome, the former US President writes on Truth Social: "It's such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope." He warmly welcomes the news, calling it a "great honor" for the USA. Trump, who is not Catholic but known for his evangelical Christian base, eagerly anticipates meeting Pope Leo XIV. "It will be a historic moment!"
Trump's religious sensitivity, or lack thereof, has been a topic of controversy in the past. In a move that offended many Catholics, he once shared an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope. The US Catholic bishop publicly denounced the image as tactless and disrespectful, demanding an apology from the President. Previously, Trump had joked publicly that he would like to be Pope himself. "That would be my first choice." Needless to say, not everyone found this joke amusing.
The future of the relationship between the President and the new Pope remains uncertain. In the race for the papal throne, another American was also contending, who was perceived as a more conservative candidate and a potential ally for Trump.
Cardinal Prevost's public criticism of Trump
As a cardinal, Robert Prevost, the newly elected Pope, had publicly criticized Trump's Vice President, JD Vance, who is Catholic. Vance had spoken in an interview about a "Christian concept" that posits one should "first love their family, then their neighbor, then their community, then their fellow citizens, and then the rest of the world." Prevost shared his thoughts in an opinion piece on Truth Social: "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus does not ask us to rank our love for others."
A contentious past and a questionable future
How well the President and the first American Pope will get along in the end remains a question mark. The Vatican had publicly criticized Trump's deportation policies on numerous occasions, with the new Pope also seeming to have reservations about the US government's immigration policies. In the race for the papal throne, another American was in the running, who was considered more conservative and seen as a potential ally for Trump.
The unclear role of the American Pope
The fact that an American was elected Pope just a few months after Joe Biden left the White House has a certain irony to it. Biden, a devout Catholic who had been only the second Catholic president in US history, had regularly attended church. However, approximately 20% of Americans identify as Catholic, while other Christian denominations, particularly Protestantism, are more prevalent in the US. The Catholic Church in the US has faced deep crises in recent years, with several abuse scandals being uncovered and hidden for decades.
A New Pope—A New Era?
Some Catholics in the US hope that an American Pope with a social agenda could cast a positive light on the Catholic Church in the US and the country as a whole. Elektra, a student who came to the church in Washington with her mother, expects Leo XIV to bring "a transformative representation of the US" to the world. "I hope the Pope brings that and spreads this very positive image globally—especially in these uncertain times and amidst much confusion."
- Elektra, a US Catholic student, expects Pope Leo XIV, an American Pope, to bring a transformative representation of the US and spread a positive image globally.
- The new Pope, Robert Prevost, had publicly criticized JD Vance, a Catholic US politician, for prioritizing love for family over love for others.
- Despite their shared nationality, Donald Trump's relationship with Pope Leo XIV remains uncertain, given Trump's controversial past with the Vatican and his religious insensitivity.
- The Commission may be asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the new Pope's association with safeguarding workers, as evidenced by Leo XIII's championing of the working class.
