Pope Leo XIV: 'America First' Supporters Disappointed with New Pontiff

Key figures in Trump's MAGA movement express discontent with Pope Leo XIV's approach, hinting at potential friction between the Vatican and the White House.

As the new Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, takes the helm of the Catholic Church, key figures in Donald Trump’s MAGA movement have expressed disappointment, believing that his papacy will not align with their “America First” philosophy.

Pope Leo XIV becomes the first American pope in history, a prospect that many Trump's supporters initially viewed with optimism. However, their enthusiasm has quickly waned as they uncover indications that Leo's priorities may lie elsewhere. With a background that includes vocal support for immigrants and a concern for the impoverished, Leo’s choices reflect a potentially liberal stance, raising eyebrows among the more conservative factions of American Catholicism.

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon was among the first to voice concerns, citing Pope Leo’s previous criticisms of American senior politicians and predicting friction could emerge between the Pontiff and President Trump. “It’s shocking…that a guy could be selected to be the Pope that had the Twitter feed and the statements he’s had against American senior politicians,” Bannon remarked. He foresees potential disagreement between the new Pope and the current administration on hot-button issues like immigration.

Pope Leo XIV's brother, John Prevost, indicated that Leo’s concerns regarding immigration and social issues would not be kept silent. The American populace, about 20% of whom identify as Catholic according to the Pew Research Center, presents a complex political landscape where views often diverge from traditional church positions, especially among demographic shifts within the Catholic community.

Local Catholics in Chicago have expressed hope that Pope Leo will carry forward the progressive agenda set by his predecessor, Pope Francis. In a statement, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops celebrated his election while emphasizing the broader unity of the Church. Nonetheless, Bannon articulated a grim perspective, pointing out a divided response among Catholics in America, where many MAGA supporters are wary of the new Pope’s public stances that have been perceived as aligned with liberal ideals.

Pope Leo's extensive social media presence has further complicated perceptions of his political ideology. His past posts draw attention for criticizing Trump’s immigration policies and supporting pro-immigration efforts, inciting backlash from conservative supporters who see him as aligned with progressive and liberal Catholic agendas.

Despite this tension, Vice-President Vance addressed concerns, indicating he intends to personally navigate the Papal relationship without succumbing to partisan divisions. Meanwhile, Bannon and others in the MAGA circle continue to outline their expectations and criticisms of how Leo's papacy might challenge Trump's administration.

This evolving situation invites ongoing scrutiny as Pope Leo XIV steps into a role that may redefine the intersection of faith and politics in the United States and the wider Catholic community.