Asger Risom
Trump Allies Call New American Pontiff “A Marxist Like Francis” and Threaten Future Clashes
The initial excitement within Donald Trump’s MAGA movement over the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, has soured quickly. As reported by Digi24, prominent conservative voices accuse the new pope of holding views aligned with those of Pope Francis, particularly regarding immigration and social justice.
Bannon and MAGA Commentators Voice Alarm
Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon expressed disbelief at the election of a pope with a past of social media posts critical of Trump administration policies.
“It’s stunning that someone with that Twitter account could be elected pope,” Bannon told the BBC, predicting “friction” between the Vatican and the White House.
John Prevost, the pope’s brother, told The New York Times that Pope Leo XIV is “not happy” with U.S. immigration policies and likely won’t remain silent.
On Bannon’s podcast War Room, commentators such as Ben Harnwell and Jack Posobiec warned of an impending clash. Harnwell called the pope “one of them… he has Francis’ DNA,” while Posobiec suggested the election itself was “a message for President Trump.”
MAGA Accusations of “Marxism”
Right-wing influencer Laura Loomer described Pope Leo XIV as “anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open borders, and a total Marxist, just like Pope Francis.”
Conservative commentator Matt Walsh of The Daily Wire noted, “There are both good and bad signs with this new pope; I want to see what he actually does.”
Vatican Politics Clash With U.S. Conservative Agenda
Pope Leo XIV’s social media history includes criticism of both Republican and Democratic leaders, including opposition to Trump’s mass deportation plans and support for religious exemptions from contraception mandates.
His past posts also targeted JD Vance’s views on immigration, arguing they misinterpret Christian teachings on love and community.
Though the new pope’s stance on LGBTQ issues remains unclear, some conservative Catholics fear he may align closely with Francis’ progressive agenda.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops cautiously welcomed the pope’s election, emphasizing that he now belongs to “all people of goodwill.”
Observers expect the tension between the Vatican and the Trump administration to intensify, with Bannon warning, “If this pope tries to stand between Trump and his deportation program, I will be there.” Pope Leo XIV’s emerging pontificate may be marked by sharp ideological clashes across the Atlantic.