"Yank in the Vatican's Throne" - Some Americans Proud, Others Concerned
Americans exhibit fervent admiration for their Pope, yet not everyone shares the same sentiments
The American media is abuzz with the election of the new Pope. He's not as American or conservative as some might hope. Despite this, President Trump and his vice offer their congratulations. Yet, a significant voice from Trump's MAGA movement expresses dissatisfaction.
US television stations are as shocked as the rest of the world - Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American, is the new Pope. A first for the Vatican, notes a Vatican reporter on TV. "A guy from Chi-town, Americans will say," followed by "Peruvian for the South Americans."
Donald Trump, a self-proclaimed Christian but not a Catholic, shares his excitement on Truth Social. "What a privilege to be the first American Pope!" he writes. Trump hopes to have the chance to meet the new Pope. "It'll be a significant encounter!"
A Global Pope, Not Just an American One
Around 20% of Americans identify as Catholics, while Protestantism dominates the US. The Catholic Church has faced deep crises in recent years, with abuse scandals unveiled and covered up for decades.
The topic of discussion is whether Pope Leo XIV, speaking Spanish in his first appearance, will be a global Pope or an American one. A commentator asserts that Leo will be a global Pope, not an American. This might not be a priority for Catholics in the US, she suggests.
CBS speaks live with a couple from Illinois, not Catholics but excited. They were in Rome anyway, and the chance to witness the first American Pope made it worthwhile. Pastor William Lego from Chicago knew the new Pope as a seminarian in Michigan. "I believe he understands," he said, surprised. He hopes to welcome the new Pope back home soon.
A "Marxist Puppet"?
Recently, Robert Prevost shared an article online criticizing Trump's vice for his hierarchy of love for Christians. Vice JD Vance, congratulated nonetheless, stating that millions of American Catholics and other Christians would pray for the Pope's success.
Laura Loomer, a Trump whisperer of the MAGA wing, finds the new Pope's background incomprehensible. "He's anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis," she rants. Cassandra, a conservative activist, shares that the new Pope is a registered Republican.
Teddy from New York finds the new Pope's election exhilarating, even though he's not religious. The rising white smoke symbolizes purity and hope, according to Veronica from Texas. They watched every day to see if a decision had been made.
In Rome, the fascination of Americans with the Catholic Church is palpable. As CBS bids farewell after the celebration on St. Peter's Square, the reporter reflects, "This – he gestures widely – the Vatican, older than 2000 years, older than any person. Much older than the USA. And this institution has decided: 'An American Pope, that's the Pope the Church needs.'"
- Churches
- Religion
- Donald Trump
- Catholic Church
- J.D. Vance
- USA
Enrichment Data:
To provide insights into Pope Leo XIV's background and political stance as perceived by Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, and Laura Loomer, it's essential to first understand Pope Leo XIV's profile and then consider how these figures might view him, as there is no direct information available on their specific perceptions.
Pope Leo XIV's Background
Born as Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955, Pope Leo XIV is the first American to hold the papacy. He is also a citizen of Peru, where he worked extensively. Prevost is an Augustinian friar and a canon lawyer. Before his election as pope, he was the head of the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome, a position he was appointed to by Pope Francis in 2023. Prevost's career includes missionary work in South America and leadership roles within the Augustinian order[1][2][3].
Political Stance of Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV is generally considered a centrist with progressive views on social issues, such as his support for marginalized groups, similar to Pope Francis. However, he holds conservative stances on some church doctrines, opposing the ordination of women as deacons[1][3].
Perceptions by Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, and Laura Loomer
Given their diverse backgrounds and political leanings, here’s how they might perceive Pope Leo XIV:
- Donald Trump: Trump's views on religion often emphasize traditional values. He might view Pope Leo XIV's conservative stance on church doctrine positively but could be less supportive of his progressive social stances, which might align less with his conservative political base.
- J.D. Vance: Vance, a conservative author and politician, might see Pope Leo XIV's centrist approach as mixed. He might appreciate the pope's focus on traditional church teachings but could be critical of any perceived drift towards progressive social policies that are not aligned with conservative ideology.
- Laura Loomer: Loomer, known for her far-right and conservative views, might similarly appreciate Pope Leo XIV's conservative positions on church doctrine. However, she might be more critical of his progressive social stances, as they could be seen as conflicting with her own political views.
Without direct statements from these figures, these assessments are speculative, reflecting their known political and social perspectives.
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, as discussions about Pope Leo XIV's global stance as the first American Pope swirl in politics, pop-culture, general-news, and even sports.
- Trump, not a Catholic but a self-proclaimed Christian, used sports-betting platform Truth Social to express his excitement about Pope Leo XIV, stating, "What a privilege to be the first American Pope!"
- Pop-star celebrity Cassandra, a conservative activist, suggested that the new Pope, Robert Prevost, is a registered Republican but criticized his political leanings as being too Marxist, like Pope Francis.
- Despite differing opinions among Americans, from the MAGA movement to the religious, everyone seemed to agree on watching the election of Pope Leo XIV, with weather updates in midwest towns sometimes overshadowed by Vatican news.
- Pastor William Lego from Chicago, who knew Pope Leo XIV as a seminarian in Michigan, was surprised yet hopeful about the Pope's understanding and his future return to America.
- Amidst the ongoing US television station coverage of the Vatican, a reporter commented on the tradition of the Catholic Church, gesturing widely, "This – the Vatican, older than 2000 years, older than any person. Much older than the USA. And this institution has decided: 'An American Pope, that's the Pope the Church needs.'"
- In the midst of controversy surrounding the Catholic Church's deep crises, America is presented with a new figurehead, Pope Leo XIV, a global pope, a fusion of countries and cultures.
- As the Catholic Church continues to face challenges in the US, religion and politics collide in the digital age, with social-media gestures and posts providing a platform for dissent and support of the new Pope, from the surprising election of an American to the backlash of MAGA voices in the midwest.
