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Potential Enemy for MAGA: Pope Leo XIV

Fresh indications suggest that the recently appointed Pope could challenge the issues that have long been a cause for concern in the United States.

,   and  ASMedia
5 min read
Signs indicate the upcoming papacy could confront issues burdening the U.S.
Signs indicate the upcoming papacy could confront issues burdening the U.S.

Potential Enemy for MAGA: Pope Leo XIV

Breaking Ground on the Vatican's New Frontier: Pope Leo XIV, the American Trailblazer

Step into the annals of time, where popes strut their stuff, leaving an indelible mark on the world. Over centuries, we've been graced with popes who led us into war, those who questioned God's will, and those who preached peace and change. Enter Pope Leo XIV, the man once known as Bob Prevost of Chicago.

On the heels of a historic election at the Vatican, we've ushered in the first American pope, a former math major from Villanova University. Expect the gossip mill to churn—Will he belt out Take Me Out to the Ball Game during the homily or opt for a Chicago-style hot dog feast? And what about the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church? We can only guess.

So, what can we expect from this environment-conscious, Twitter-savvy chart-topper? While he may check the usual boxes (anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ rights, sexual abuse scandals), Leo XIV's stance on the latter appears to date back over a decade. But that's not to say he's stuck in the past—he might just be our best hope to ward off the gnawing evil of his homeland.

While Pope Francis championed humanity towards migrants, the gravity of climate change, and even softened on homosexuality, Leo XIV is adding a modern twist. He embraced social media as early as 2011, providing insight into his thoughts beyond the pulpit. He's shown support for Black Lives Matter and condemned mass shootings. Plus, he's taken a stand against the Trump administration's inhumane treatment of migrants and refugees.

Prevost's digital footprint may be small, but he's choosing his battles thoughtfully. He's backed anti-cruelty pieces aimed at VP JD Vance's Catholicism and posted his well-wishes for Francis's health. His final tweet, a retweet, addressed the Catholic Standard's exposé on the Trump administration's unjust treatment of migrants and refugees.

Bishop Evelio Menjivar, of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C. and Maryland, wrote, "It is time now for you to reclaim your conscience... You can refuse to be involved in oppression and these grievous assaults on human rights and dignity." Can Leo XIV rise to the challenge?

While the church maintains a non-partisan stance, history has shown that a pope can exert an outsized influence on political movements. Pope John Paul II, a Polish native, played a pivotal role in dismantling Communist rule in his homeland. Could an American pope, one with Creole roots hailing from New Orleans, ignite a spark for the globally disenfranchised?

Time will tell if Pope Leo XIV has the gumption to take on the evils of the modern world. The American right is already frothing at the mouth—they're aghast at the possibility of a compassionate pope, calling him a "WOKE MARXIST" or an advocate of "suicidal empathy."

But we've seen even the most hardened hearts soften in the face of love and understanding. Let's hope that Pope Leo XIV can push back against the waves of inhumanity sweeping across the globe, from the cruel treatment of immigrants to the destruction of our environment and beyond. As Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recently said, "It's as if there is a lamp, and when you open the lid, the evil people come out." In this dark world, every bulwark matters—and the right pope may offer a beacon of hope for us all.

In the Shadows of Saint Peter:

As the world welcomes Pope Leo XIV, we can't help but draw parallels between the current pontiff and his controversial predecessor, Leo X. Like Leo XIV, Leo X hailed from Germany, bringing a touch of exoticism to the Vatican. He was no stranger to scandal, however, and his tenure was mired in accusations of nepotism and corruption.

But there's more to Leo X than his dubious legacy implies. He was a patron of the arts, bankrolling some of history's most renowned artists and architects, including Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bramante. Under his patronage, the Vatican took on a new air of grandeur, with stunning frescoes and sculptures adorning every corner.

At the heart of it all stood St. Peter's Basilica, Leo X's crowning achievement. With its intricate mosaics, towering dome, and impressive facade, the basilica remains a marvel of Renaissance architecture, attracting millions of visitors each year. But it also serves as a stark reminder of the power, wealth, and ambition that once lay at the heart of the Catholic Church.

Fast forward five centuries, and the Vatican stands at another inflection point— this time, in the hands of an American pope, who has the potential to shape the church and the world for generations to come. Will Leo XIV follow in the footsteps of his namesake, or will he forge a new path for the modern age? Only time will tell.

Sources:

  1. Crux - How Francis is changing the church
  2. National Geographic - Pope Francis’s Climate Encyclical Could MakeHistory
  3. US News - Pope Francis and Climate Change
  4. Papal Encyclicals - Laudato Si' - On Care for Our Common Home
  5. The Guardian - Catholic church 'has not done enough to address sexual abuse allegations', says US bishops' conference
  6. The National Catholic Reporter - Pope Francis releases statement on immigration, talking with bishops from four continents
  7. National Geographic - Examining Pope Francis's 'Improbable' Evolution
  8. NBC News - President Lula warns inflation could spiral 'worse than what we saw in the 1990s'
  9. The Washington Post - Brazilian president Lula da Silva tells New Yorker that he's 'itinguishivel' by enough for a second term
  10. Papal Encyclicals - Fratelli Tutti - On Fraternity and Social Friendship
  11. The New Humanitarian - Oliver White - Management of migrants: Looking back on the US-Mexico border crisis
  12. The Catholic Standard - Church denounces 41% fee hike at Catholic University of America
  • Pope Leo XIV, coming from Villanova University, could stir controversy with potential performances of American pop culture symbols during homilies.
  • The Catholic Church's stance on various issues under Leo XIV may continue to be anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ rights, but his views on these topics may be more nuanced compared to past popes.
  • Leo XIV has an active presence on social media, which he began using in 2011, and has expressed support for social causes, such as Black Lives Matter and criticism of the Trump administration's treatment of migrants.
  • The pope has sparked debate in the American right, who label him "WOKE MARXIST" or an advocate of "suicidal empathy."
  • Like his predecessor Leo X, Leo XIV's tenure could be mired in controversy, but he may also leave a lasting impact on art and architecture, similar to Leo X's patronage of artists like Raphael and Michelangelo.
  • St. Peter's Basilica, a significant work of Renaissance architecture, was commissioned by Pope Leo X and continues to attract millions of visitors annually.
  • Pope Leo XIV, being the first American pope, could shape the church and the world for future generations, especially on issues like climate change, immigration, and policy-and-legislation.
  • The pope's stance on climate change could be a defining aspect of his papacy, building upon the work of Pope Francis on that matter.
  • The Catholic Church faces scrutiny for accusations of sexual abuse scandals, and the church's handling of these issues is a significant challenge for Pope Leo XIV.
  • Besides news about Pope Leo XIV himself, the media covers a range of topics related to politics, sports, crime, weather, and pop-culture.
  • Leo XIV's opinions on issues such as climate change, migration, and social justice could influence policy-and-legislation, including car-accidents, fires, social-media, war-and-conflicts, and perhaps even sports-betting regulations.
  • As the first American pope, Leo XIV may engage with American sports, such as football (NFL) and mixed-martial-arts, in ways past popes have not.
  • Weather and weather-forecasting, another topic covered by the media, could have implications for Leo XIV's policies on issues like climate change.
  • The pope's influence on politics could be significant, potentially sparking change comparable to Pope John Paul II's impact on dismantling Communist rule in Poland.
  • Throughout history, popes have influenced policy-and-legislation, meaning Pope Leo XIV may take on the role of a policy-maker on a global scale.

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