In this modern era, even popes have a digital footprint. The new pontiff's unearthed social media posts offer rare insight into his views and reveal moments of clear disagreement with the Trump administration.
The smoke has barely cleared from the Vatican chimney, and the newly elected American leader of the Catholic Church is already engulfed in controversy. Pope Leo XIV has drawn attention for the political views he shared online before stepping into the papacy.
Cardinals gathered in Vatican City as the newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears for the first time on the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025. | Source: Getty Images
From sharing articles that challenge Republican talking points and supporting critiques of the Trump administration's immigration policies to showing public support for movements calling for racial justice, the new pontiff's digital trail is offering a glimpse into where he might stand.
Pope Leo XIV delivering his first public address from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica on May 8, 2025. | Source: Getty Images
U.S. Political Figures' Reactions
Following Pope Francis' passing at 88 last month, the question on many people's minds was who would be chosen to succeed him. After the customary nine-day mourning period, the conclave convened.
On May 8, it was announced that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, had been elected as the new pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. His appointment marked a historic moment — he became the first American pope to lead the Catholic Church.
The announcement triggered swift and varied responses across the American political landscape. Some praised the milestone; others raised alarms about his past political positions and public statements.
Former president Joe Biden responded with a brief but formal message. "Habemus papam – May God bless Pope Leo XIV of Illinois," he posted. "Jill and I congratulate him and wish him success."
Current President Donald Trump, by contrast, leaned heavily into national pride. In a statement issued via the White House's official X account, he shared in part, "Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope."
Vice President J. D. Vance echoed this sentiment, focusing on the religious importance of the moment. "I'm sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!" he typed in part.
However, others viewed the new Pope's background and beliefs with skepticism or outright hostility. Laura Loomer issued a scathing statement, characterizing Pope Leo XIV as a political adversary to Trump and his supporters.
"He is anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open Borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis. Catholics don't have anything good to
Loomer also included a resurfaced tweet from the Pope dating back to 2015, in which he shared an article critical of Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric, further fueling the backlash among Trump-aligned figures.
Charlie Kirk also weighed in, raising a series of pointed questions. "Pope Leo XIV: Registered Chicago Republican and pro-life warrior OR Open borders globalist installed to counter Trump?" he posted alongside a video.
In the video, Kirk noted that the pontiff had voted in Republican primaries and led a pro-life group at Villanova University. He acknowledged this as a "good sign" for Republicans.
However, he flagged concerns about previous posts from the new pontiff suggesting leniency on immigration policy and support for racial justice. He said:
"Also has some, let's just say, not so great, tweets about having some willingness for open borders. We'll see kind of how he is on that. Also, some George Floyd stuff that I'm not too crazy about. [...] There's a lot yet to learn about this Pope."
A screenshot of Charlie Kirk from a video he shared on May 8, 2025. | Source: x/charliekirk11
Kirk underscored the political implications of the papal selection, asking whether the timing and ideology behind the appointment were part of a broader agenda to counteract Trump.
"First ever American People. No wonder — why is it that they picked an American Pope? Could be a coincidence, could be nothing or is it they want a voice that is also for the opening of American borders while we have President Trump?" he asked, before concluding with a prayerful note for all Christians, Catholics included.
Pope Leo XIV's criticisms of Trump were just as pointed.
These reactions highlighted not just the significance of an American ascending to the papacy, but also how deeply that moment has been filtered through the lens of U.S. political ideology.
For some current U.S. political figures, Pope Leo XIV is a figure of suspicion. For others, he represents a hopeful turning point. But have they forgotten what the new pontiff has previously said about some of the Trump administration's policies in several social media posts?
Pope Leo XIV photographed on the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica on May 8, 2025. | Source: Getty Images
What His Posts Reveal About Trump
Before his election as Pope, the new pontiff shared and engaged with several posts on social media that drew clear lines between his beliefs and those of key figures in American politics, including Trump and Vance.
On February 13, 2025, he posted a link to an article from America Magazine titled, "Pope Francis' letter, JD Vance's 'ordo amoris' and what the Gospel asks of all of us on immigration."
The piece referenced Vance's comments about prioritizing love for fellow citizens over foreigners. The Pope amplified the same point again when he reposted the headline of a National Catholic Reporter article that read, "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others."
Both posts positioned him in direct opposition to Vance's interpretation of Christian values and immigration policy. Pope Leo XIV's criticisms of Trump were just as pointed.
On August 1, 2015, he shared a Washington Post article titled, "Cardinal Dolan: Why Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric is so problematic." The article was posted without additional commentary, but its inclusion in his feed reflected agreement with its stance.
Pope Leo XIV also signaled his support for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica on May 8, 2025. | Source: Getty Images
In 2020, he posted about the Church's responsibility to speak out against racial injustice. He wrote on May 30, responding to a now-deleted post amid the nationwide protests following George Floyd's death:
"Thank you! We need to hear more from leaders in the Church, to reject racism and seek justice."
Pope Leo XIV has also shared other posts that strongly condemned the Trump administration's immigration policies.
One retweet read, "There is nothing remotely Christian, American, or morally defensible about a policy that takes children away from their parents and warehouses them in cages. This is being carried out in our name and the shame is on us all."
Another retweeted post questioned the morality of the administration's actions during a deportation case involving a U.S. resident, reading in part, "'Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscious not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?'"
