Guno צְבִי
We fight, We win, Am Yisrael Chai
When the late Pope Francis challenged Donald Trump on immigration, climate change and poverty during the president’s first term, the White House and its allies responded with a collective shrug.
But with Catholic Cardinals choosing an American to lead the Church for the first time in its history, that will change. The Chicago-born Robert Prevost, America’s first pope, has a worldview that appears to be at odds with “America First.”
Elected on just the second day of voting, Pope Leo could become a global rival to the president, one who has the homegrown credibility to sway Catholic Republicans more than his predecessor did and speak with a voice that has a louder boom here in the U.S.
Trump on Thursday immediately praised the selection of Leo, who lived most of his adult life in Peru, promising to meet with the new pope soon.
“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 posted on Truth Social.
But it’s not difficult to imagine the looming conflicts to come. Like his predecessor, Leo hails from a more progressive, inclusive wing of Catholicism, preaching peace and the importance of building bridges in his first address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, though it appears he still holds traditional Catholic views on LGBTQ+ issues.
But with Catholic Cardinals choosing an American to lead the Church for the first time in its history, that will change. The Chicago-born Robert Prevost, America’s first pope, has a worldview that appears to be at odds with “America First.”
Elected on just the second day of voting, Pope Leo could become a global rival to the president, one who has the homegrown credibility to sway Catholic Republicans more than his predecessor did and speak with a voice that has a louder boom here in the U.S.
Trump on Thursday immediately praised the selection of Leo, who lived most of his adult life in Peru, promising to meet with the new pope soon.
“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 posted on Truth Social.
But it’s not difficult to imagine the looming conflicts to come. Like his predecessor, Leo hails from a more progressive, inclusive wing of Catholicism, preaching peace and the importance of building bridges in his first address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, though it appears he still holds traditional Catholic views on LGBTQ+ issues.
