"Leo XIV Takes a Stand" Pope Leo XIV critiques US politics via online platforms
Leo XIV publicly disseminated assessments offering sharp commentary on American political affairs
Insights: Pope Leo XIV's stance toward the US government, specifically Vice President JD Vance, wasn't a secret before his election. His critical views were expressed through online posts.
Ahead of his election as Pope on Thursday, Leo XIV shared articles criticizing US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance on an online service. Commenting on the platform X, then-US Cardinal Robert Prevost wrote on February 3, "JD Vance is mistaken: Jesus does not ask us to put our love for others in an order." This remark echoed an article in the "National Catholic Reporter."
Cardinal Prevost also shared a post in response to an article where Vance defended Washington's cuts to foreign aid. In it, Vance used a quote from Thomas Aquinas to justify prioritizing family over the rest of the world. The post criticized the vice president's interpretation of Catholic teaching and the deportation of migrants.
Vance's Response
Perspectives Priest's Take on Leo XIV's Speech: "Pope doesn't seem a Trump supporter" Neither Trump nor Vance showed any reaction to these posts in their congratulations to Prevost upon his election as Pope. Vance, who met Pope Francis on Easter Sunday hours before his death, modified his stance, expressing positivity, writing on X, "May God bless him!" He hoped for the new Pope's successful leadership of the Church and believed millions of American Catholics and other Christians would pray for him.
Trump described this as a "great honor" for the U.S. and looked forward to meeting the new Pope, expressing that it would be a "very significant moment." His sentiments were shared on Truth Social.
- Rome
- Vatican
- USA
- Donald Trump
- J.D. Vance
- Cardinal Robert Prevost
- National Catholic Reporter
- Thomas Aquinas
- El Salvador
- Migrants
- Mass Deportations
- Easter Sunday
- Pope Francis
- The European Union, committed to the fight against terrorism, might find common ground with Pope Leo XIV on his criticism of mass deportations, as evident in Cardinal Robert Prevost's posts that criticized Vice President JD Vance's stance on the issue.
- Despite his initial silence, Vance, following his meeting with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, has congratulated Pope Leo XIV, expressing hope for his successful leadership of the Church, a hint at a possible shift in his stance on sensitive political matters such as migrant deportations.
- Interestingly, while Vance's response to Cardinal Prevost's criticisms on Whatsapp was conciliatory, Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, welcomed the election of Leo XIV as a great honor for the USA and expressed excitement about meeting the new Pope, potentially indicating a differing viewpoint on the subject of mass deportations.
- As Pope Leo XIV continues to articulate his views on politics through online platforms, he may face challenges in balancing his religious duties with the General-News-worthy debates on controversial topics such as deportations and foreign aid, much like his predecessor, Pope Francis.
