Asger Risom
First American Pontiff Challenges “MAGA” Rhetoric on Immigration, Racism, and Faith
Pope Leo XIV, the first pope in history to hail from the United States, has wasted no time distancing himself from America’s conservative political elite, openly criticizing former President Donald Trump and current Vice President JD Vance.
Known previously as Cardinal Robert Prevost, the new pontiff has drawn sharp contrasts between Catholic teaching and the nationalist rhetoric shaping U.S. right-wing politics.
Longstanding Critic of Trump-Era Policies
As reported by Digi24, Pope Leo XIV has a history of critiquing Trump-era immigration policies and the anti-migrant sentiment that came to define segments of the GOP.
Even before his election, Prevost had reposted content that condemned the Trump administration’s actions, including detentions and deportations, and had highlighted the Church’s calls for compassion and global solidarity.
One reposted sermon by Archbishop José Gomez in 2016 described the fear gripping immigrant communities in the U.S., with the future pope echoing the sentiment that “America is better than this.”
A Clash With JD Vance Over Catholic Doctrine
More recently, Pope Leo XIV took issue with JD Vance’s interpretation of “ordo amoris” — a traditional Catholic concept of love’s hierarchical order. After Vance claimed Christians should prioritize love for family and country before caring for others abroad, Prevost reposted a critical article arguing that such a view misrepresents the Gospel’s message on immigration and universal compassion.
This doctrinal dispute resurfaced just days after the pope’s election, bringing his past critiques into the global spotlight. The pontiff’s stance has generated backlash from MAGA-aligned figures, even as Trump himself welcomed the election of a fellow American to the papacy, calling it “a great honor.”
Vatican Disapproval of Political Spectacle
The tension dates back to Trump’s controversial behavior following Pope Francis’s death, when he posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as pope. The act was condemned in Vatican circles and by European leaders as disrespectful during a period of mourning.
Pope Leo XIV has since made clear he intends to continue his predecessor’s mission of advocating for marginalized communities and defending human dignity. His early messaging suggests a Vatican leadership unwilling to blur spiritual values with populist nationalism.
As his pontificate begins, the American pope is quickly becoming a global voice of moral clarity — and a theological counterweight to the political forces reshaping the United States.