Historic first American Pope elected despite past criticism of Trump administration, as the former president extends congratulations to the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church.
At a Glance
- Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American pope in Catholic Church history
- President Donald Trump congratulated the new pontiff on Truth Social, calling it “a Great Honor for our Country”
- Prior to his election, Pope Leo XIV had criticized Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s immigration policies on social media
- The 69-year-old Augustinian and former missionary to Peru is considered a moderate who was close to Pope Francis
- The White House has not commented on the new pope’s past criticisms of the administration
First American Pope Makes History
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago has made history by becoming Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church. The 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order was elected on May 8, 2025, as the 267th pontiff. Born in Chicago on September 14, 1955, the new pope brings his experience as a missionary in Peru to his new role leading the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. His election represents a significant shift in Church leadership, moving away from the European dominance that has characterized the papacy throughout most of its history.
The new pontiff addressed the crowd from the main central loggia balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica following the conclave at The Vatican. Known as a moderate who was close to his predecessor Pope Francis, Leo XIV’s election signals potential continuity with many of Francis’s priorities while adding an American perspective to the Vatican’s leadership. Catholic scholars note that his selection could strengthen the Church’s connections with the Americas, where a significant portion of the world’s Catholic population resides.
Pope Leo XIV: A Historic Election for the Catholic Church
Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, has made history as the first American-born pope, elected as the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church. His election was marked by the traditional white smoke… pic.twitter.com/bEnqPilNN2
— Political Maverick (@PoliticalMav) May 8, 2025
Trump’s Reaction to the Historic Election
Despite past tensions between the Trump administration and the Vatican, President Donald Trump quickly congratulated the new pontiff on his election. Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump highlighted the historic nature of having the first American pope and expressed his desire to meet with the new Church leader. The president’s reaction reflects the significance of this moment for American Catholics, who make up roughly 22% of the U.S. population, many of whom are considered key voters in several swing states.
“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,” Trump said Thursday in a statement on his social media platform Truth Social.
Vice President JD Vance also extended his congratulations, emphasizing the spiritual significance of the moment. The White House has thus far not commented on Pope Leo XIV’s past criticisms of the administration, choosing instead to focus on the historic nature of his election. This diplomatic approach suggests an attempt to establish a working relationship with the new pontiff despite previous disagreements on policy matters.
Past Tensions Over Immigration Policy
Before his election to the papacy, Cardinal Prevost had been critical of the Trump administration’s stance on immigration. His social media accounts, active since 2011, revealed posts critical of both Trump and Vance’s policies and statements. In February 2025, he shared an article rebutting Vance’s interpretation of Catholic teachings on immigration. Additionally, in 2015, Prevost shared an opinion piece criticizing Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric, highlighting the longstanding nature of these disagreements.
These tensions mirror the relationship between Trump and Pope Francis, who frequently clashed over immigration policies and cuts to foreign aid and welfare programs. Vance, who was one of the last officials to meet with Pope Francis before his death at age 88, had previously used medieval Catholic teachings to justify the administration’s immigration policies. Pope Francis explicitly rebutted these interpretations in a letter to U.S. Catholic bishops, underlining the theological disagreements between the Vatican and the administration.
Implications for Church-State Relations
The election of an American pope creates a new dynamic in the relationship between the United States government and the Vatican. Political analysts suggest that having an American leading the Catholic Church could increase the Church’s influence in American political discourse, particularly on issues where Catholic teaching and U.S. policy diverge. Immigration reform, capital punishment, and social welfare policies may become more prominent topics of discussion between religious and political leaders in the coming years.
As Pope Leo XIV settles into his new role, both Catholics and non-Catholics in America will be watching closely to see how he navigates his relationship with the U.S. government. His previous criticisms of the Trump administration’s policies suggest he may continue in Pope Francis’s tradition of challenging political leaders on issues related to social justice. However, the congratulatory tone from both Trump and Vance indicates a potential willingness on both sides to establish a constructive dialogue despite past disagreements.
