First American Pope Leo XIV Shocks with Bold Political Stances
Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, has made history as the first American pope, but his voting history and outspoken views are sending ripples across political divides. Born in Chicago to Italian and French parents, Prevost, a registered Republican, has voiced opinions that challenge both conservative and liberal ideologies, according to the Daily Mail.
Despite his Republican registration, Pope Leo XIV has publicly criticized policies associated with President Donald Trump. In an April 14 X post, he appeared to denounce the deportation of illegal immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, writing, “Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?” He has also shared posts calling Jesus a migrant and criticizing Trump-era policies, like the 2017 Syrian refugee ban, retweeting Jesuit priest James Martin’s lament: “What an immoral nation we are becoming. Jesus weeps.”
The pope’s views don’t align neatly with the right, either. In 2017, he supported a call for stricter gun laws by retweeting Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy’s plea for action after a mass shooting. He also shared a story challenging Vice President JD Vance’s views on prioritizing love for family over global compassion, with the piece arguing, “Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
However, Pope Leo XIV holds positions that clash with progressive ideals. In a 2012 address to bishops, he criticized the media for promoting LGBTQ lifestyles, stating, “Western mass media is extraordinarily effective in fostering sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel.” As a bishop in Peru, he opposed government efforts to introduce gender ideology in schools, calling it “confusing” for seeking to “create genders that don’t exist.” He also retweeted a 2017 Catholic News Agency article quoting Cardinal Dolan’s anti-abortion stance, emphasizing the womb as a “primal sanctuary” for the unborn.
Both President Trump and Vice President JD Vance celebrated the historic appointment. Trump posted on Truth Social, “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost… the first American Pope. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV!” Vance echoed, “Congratulations to Leo XIV on his election!” Yet, the new pope’s blend of conservative and liberal critiques—pro-life and anti-LGBTQ stances paired with pro-migrant and gun-control sentiments—has left both parties uneasy.
At 500 words, this story underscores a pontiff unafraid to challenge norms. Pope Leo XIV’s tenure may redefine the Vatican’s role in global politics, forcing both Republicans and Democrats to confront uncomfortable truths. Will his polarizing views unite or divide? The world watches as this American pope navigates his unprecedented role.
