Culture War

An American Pope Enters the Trump Era

Leo XIV represents a moderate counter to the American president.

May 10, 2025

The story

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago has been elected as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church, taking the name Leo XIV.

He is the first American to hold the papacy, though he has spent the majority of his career in Peru, where he holds dual citizenship.

Though relatively unknown before the conclave — where 108 of the 133 cardinals who elected Leo XIV were appointees of Pope Francis — he is suspected to have been a centrist choice.

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Larry Hemmert1 year ago

The Pope and Catholic church do not represent Christians.
The Catholic church is pure evil. So many wrongs from secrets, idols, prayer to saints/Mary, charms, chanting, pedophiles, purgatory, tolerance of abortion and imorality.

God's Word is clear. GOD abhors secret things. God commands that we pray to no others. No idols. Craft no heavenly imagery from brass bronze or gold. Child harm is condemned. Purgatory not mentioned anywhere in the Bible. Chanting is forbidden. God condemns abortion and imorality. Says to contend against it!

Thus the Catholic church is satans great deception.

John Z1 year ago

What you're calling God's Word (I assume you mean the Bible, rather than the person of Jesus Christ), wouldn't be here without the Catholic church. That's the church that Jesus founded on Peter and that compiled the letters and accounts of Jesus' work and teaching and spent 300 years discerning which parts stayed in and which were relegated to obscurity. That book didn't come down the mountain with Moses and the tablets, it was curated and assembled and lovingly proclaimed for 2000 years by the same Catholic church you condemn. Nearly all those "evils" you list are prevalent in all parts of the world and in all "churches." You're very mixed up on the Catholic church's stance on abortion and protecting the dignity of human life. Take a moment and study some history and spend some time trying to understand the Catechism of the Catholic Church to inform your thinking. May I recommend the world's most popular podcast and send you to The Bible in a Year with Fr Mike Schmitz?

Fred Flintstone1 year ago

The 'Word on Fire' podcast is another excellent source of illumination.

Kathryn Murphy1 year ago

I could argue this one (I did hit the like button) but I like to keep the peace; and this is not the forum for it. But your point is a good one.

Ryland C1 year ago

Speaking as a fellow protestant, can we please not call ppl evil over a theological difference? Abortion is one thing, but the Catholic Church is pro life and (obviously) anti child rape. None of your legitimate accusations are evil. We can agree that they are factually wrong, but you aren't a bad person for believing in purgatory etc. this behavior doesn't reflect well on Protestants and is definitely not helpful or Christlike.

Laney B1 year ago

If two Jewish guys can see the global importance of the Pope of Catholicism, far be it from me, a Biblical Protestant, to argue. The new Pope Leo may be a registered (R) in the U.S.A., but many Catholics, especially in the Northeast, vote (D) regardless of the (D)eath party’s disregard for human life. Leo’s affinity for man-controlled/man-restructured climate is troublesome, since that whole agenda is a religion of its own.

Adam Raschio1 year ago

Relative to the climate change stuff, yes and no. While naturalists do tend to turn concern for the environment into a religion, there is still a very strong Biblical case for taking care of the environment. Francis Schaeffer wrote a book on it called Pollution and the Death of Man, which I found very enlightening.

Robert Zuzzolo1 year ago

As we all know that the Catholic Church is CORRUPT for many years they only care about controlling the population anyone who is of the catholic religion is blind and controlled by their faith having been a catholic for decades I have finally realized just corrupt they really are.It’s criminal that they use a religion to undermine a person’s belief in the Lord to attain power WHATEVER THEY SAY IS TO CONTROL YOU HISTORY HAS SHOWN THAT THE CATHOLIC RELIGION IS A MIX OF PAGANISM and Christianity they control you with religion THE CATHOLIC RELIGION CANNOT BE TRUSTED

Fred Flintstone1 year ago

I'm sorry for your anger towards the Catholic Church. I hope you find peace and reconciliation in prayer and contemplation.

Kathryn Murphy1 year ago

I'm one of those Christians that believes ALL man-made organized religion is corrupt. Man can't touch anything without corrupting it.

Bob Hrebec1 year ago

Chicago. The Pope is from the same town that gave us Hilary Clinton, Barack (Barry) Obama, Rev. Wright, Jesse Jackson and a whole host of others. There must be something wrong with the water??

Fred Flintstone1 year ago

Maybe. But it's a big city. It's known for The Blues Brothers and other strong traditions.

Kathryn Murphy1 year ago

Yes, but he has dual citizenship with Peru, and has spent most of his career there. I figure he takes a more Peruvian perspective on things.

Joel Miller1 year ago

It's interesting the Negative comments outweigh the Positive comments with little regard for the Potential of Uniting Christians including Catholics , All protestants and other Religions in Our One God who abhors the hate and evil which is currently rampant throughout all the societies in our World. Let us consider treating each other "AS WE WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED"! A concept from the bible! Maybe just maybe a little Prayer in that direction may be a solution!

Bob Hrebec1 year ago

I hope he's not like the other prominent leaders Chicago has given us....Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama! Oh, almost forgot, and Jesse Jackson.

Jim Harmon1 year ago

I just hope the Pope and President Trump don't get into verbal conflict. I think Pope Leo XIV will be good for us and will help to promote Christianity and a return to God.

Laney B1 year ago

I was born into Catholicism and stayed 29 years until being rescued by the Jesus of the Bible. We did not call ourselves “Christians”, we called ourselves Catholics.

Kathryn Murphy1 year ago

Like your comment. I for one, consider anyone that believes in Christ to be a Christian. :-)

Gerrye Fielden1 year ago

IN the Bible, God affirmed death for certain offenses! Also, as far as deportations go, if the couple is illegal and they have a baby in the US, let them take that baby with them back to their original country, and give the right of that baby to claim US citizenship when he/she is 21! (after all the birth certificate says where they were born) Thus you are not depriving the couple of raising their baby.

Kathryn Murphy1 year ago

A simple, and common sense solution.

Russell Call1 year ago

Time will tell.

Shirley Damonte 1 year ago

Sounds like he is more like President Trump than different. Most of his fundamentals seem to be the same.

Than Johnson1 year ago

A historic moment in religious history, an American selected as The Pope. We should cherish this occurrence.than

sharon smith1 year ago

The Pope has a very real effect on political policies and public opinion, making him as important, if not more than an American president. The world listens to him, forms their collective opinons, then reacts, positive or negatively, there is bound to be an effect on us all.

What Would Jen Do1 year ago

He will be bring a new type of reckoning, just wait and see…

Fred Flintstone1 year ago

He Does Not "stand opposed to Trump"!! One could say the pope Stands Opposed To Democrats. His stance on Abortion, "alternative families," and gender ideology are far more impactful, and aligned with Trump, than a nuanced view of immigration. How many legal immigrants have been granted U.S. Citizenship every year for umpteenth years. Illegal immigration is not accepted by any church teaching. How Many Illegal Immigrants have been allowed into the 10 room papal apartment, or the Vatican. Surely there's room for a few hundred?!? One could say the conservative view of capitalism has been the most impactful force for improving the plight of the poor in all of humanity. While certainly not perfect, we have done more for the poor than any civilization ever.
Lazy people are out of luck. The Lord helps those who helps themselves.

Kathryn Murphy1 year ago

Perhaps this article's title is unclear. In reading - 3 times - I see that he is only opposed to trump with respect to immigration and deportation practices, and climate change. That's two, not the entire agenda. And it needs to be stated that caring for the environment of the planet that sustains life is NOT the same as climate change issues.