Trump Praises New Pope—Despite Past Criticism from Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, made history as the first American pope, earning praise from U.S. President Donald Trump, who called his election a “Great Honor for our Country.” But Trump’s celebratory Truth Social post clashes awkwardly with the pope’s past criticism of his policies.

Prevost has previously reposted tweets condemning Trump-era immigration actions, including family separations and deportations, calling them “morally indefensible.” He’s also taken aim at Vice President JD Vance, disagreeing with Vance’s views on prioritizing love for fellow Americans over others, by resharing a headline reading, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”

Trump may have celebrated now, but these resurfaced posts suggest a potentially tense dynamic between the Vatican and the White House.