“New American Pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost, Criticized Trump’s Immigration Policies — Now Leading the Catholic Church”
Cardinal Robert Prevost, born in Chicago, made history on Thursday as the first American to be elected Pope, taking the helm as the spiritual leader of 1.41 billion Catholics worldwide. Now known as Pope Leo XIV, the former missionary has long been outspoken about his opposition to former President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration stance.
Pope Leo XIV has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, particularly those targeting undocumented immigrants. One of his final social media posts before his election highlighted the story of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 30-year-old undocumented immigrant and father of three from Maryland, who was deported to El Salvador. On April 14, Pope Leo retweeted a powerful message that read, “Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?”
The new pope also expressed his concerns over the views of JD Vance, a Catholic political figure, sharing articles such as “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.” In addition, Pope Leo XIV publicly supported DACA recipients, advocating for the protection of those brought to the U.S. as minors, echoing his deep commitment to justice and compassion for immigrants.
“Pope Leo XIV: The First American Pope Who Took a Stand Against Trump’s Immigration Policies”
Pope Leo XIV, born Cardinal Robert Prevost in Chicago, has not only made history as the first American Pope but also made waves with his outspoken criticism of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
In 2018, Pope Leo XIV shared a powerful post condemning the Trump administration’s controversial approach to immigration, which saw children separated from their parents. He wrote, “There is nothing remotely Christian, American, or morally defensible about a policy that takes children away from their parents and warehouses them in cages. This is being carried out in our name, and the shame is on us all.”
Pope Leo also posted a 2018 letter from Catholic leaders in Peru thanking the Trump administration for halting the separation of migrant families. The letter highlighted Peru’s experience with migration, especially Venezuelans fleeing political and economic turmoil. It stated, “We here in Peru and in neighboring countries have welcomed them to help them overcome, through our means, their issues.”
Given that Pope Leo spent much of his career in Latin America, where he even obtained Peruvian citizenship, his views on immigration are deeply rooted in his personal and professional experiences. His leadership is shaped by a commitment to human dignity and solidarity with migrants.
During his first public appearance as Pope, Leo spoke in both Italian and Spanish, and the crowd erupted in chants of “Leon, Leon!” with many stunned by the election of an American pope. Several even murmured, “An American?”
Cardinal Prevost, affectionately known as Father Bob, has long been regarded as a quiet reformer and a favorite among both North and Latin American cardinals. He is seen as someone who will continue Pope Francis’s legacy, advocating for peace and social justice. Despite his silence on issues like same-sex partnerships and female clergy, Prevost’s election represents a shift toward inclusivity and reform within the Church.
Trump and JD Vance, both quick to congratulate Pope Leo XIV, showed their respect despite the Pope’s clear opposition to certain policies. President Trump tweeted, “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
Vice President JD Vance added, “Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election! I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!”
Prevost’s election, surprising to many due to the United States’ geopolitical dominance, has garnered attention worldwide. Although he is American by birth, Prevost is also a citizen of Peru, where he spent many years as a missionary and later as Archbishop of Chiclayo. His deep ties to Latin America and the Augustinian religious order make him a natural leader to bridge the Church’s diverse global communities.
In his first address as Pope from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV shared a message of peace, communication, and missionary evangelization. Wearing the traditional crimson cape that Pope Francis had famously refused to wear in 2013, Leo’s choice marked a symbolic departure from his predecessor’s more minimalist style.
As the white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel, the crowd in St. Peter’s Square cheered and shouted, “Viva il Papa!” while priests made the sign of the cross and nuns wept with joy. The election of Pope Leo XIV signals a new chapter in the Church’s journey, with a leader who is both deeply committed to social justice and rooted in the global Catholic community.
“Pope Leo XIV: The First American Pope Who Defied Expectations”
The announcement of the new pope came an hour later, as the senior cardinal deacon stepped onto the loggia, declaring “Habemus Papam!” to the eager crowd below. Cardinal Robert Prevost had been chosen, and the world waited with bated breath to learn the identity of the first American pope. Tens of thousands of people, waving flags from every corner of the globe, filled St. Peter’s Square, hoping for the historic reveal.
Pope Leo XIV, as he would now be known, addressed the crowd not in English, but in the languages of the Church—Spanish and Italian—highlighting his deep connection to Latin America, where he had spent the majority of his career.
The name Leo carries great historical weight, with Pope Leo XIII being the last pope to use it. Leo XIII, who led the Church from 1878 to 1903, was known for his progressive stance on issues like workers’ rights and capitalism. His 1891 encyclical, Rerum Novarum, marked a turning point in Catholic social thought, tempering the Church’s confrontational approach to modernity, particularly in relation to science and politics. It laid the groundwork for much of the Church’s social doctrine today, making Pope Leo XIV’s choice of name all the more significant.