A Pontiff with a Heart for Immigrants and the Marginalized
The Vatican noted that although Leo XIV was born in the U.S., he is officially recognized as the second pope from the Americas, following Pope Francis of Argentina. And much like Francis, Pope Leo is believed to share strong views on caring for migrants, the poor, and the environment — positions that stand in sharp contrast to the policies of the Trump administration.
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These differences became especially visible after Leo’s election.
Trump’s Response: “An Honor for Our Country” — But Actions Stirred Controversy
Shortly before the conclave, during the mourning period after Pope Francis’ passing, Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself wearing papal robes. The image, captioned
“I’d like to be pope. That would be my No. 1 choice,”
sparked widespread backlash from both religious leaders and political figures.
The image was later reshared by the official White House account, intensifying criticism. Trump downplayed it later, suggesting he had no real preference but offered support for
“a cardinal out of New York who’s very good,”
believed to be Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
Despite the controversy, Trump congratulated Pope Leo, calling his election
“such an honor for our country”
and wishing him success.
Public Dissent: Pope Leo vs. JD Vance on the Gospel and Immigration
While still Cardinal Robert Prevost, Pope Leo was already engaging in political dialogue. One notable clash occurred after JD Vance, during a Fox News appearance, spoke about Christian priorities regarding love and responsibility.
Vance referenced a ranked structure:
“You love your family, then your neighbor, then your community, fellow citizens, and after that, the rest of the world.”
Cardinal Prevost responded directly on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“JD Vance is wrong. Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
Vance later defended his comments by citing “ordo amoris,” a theological term referring to an “order of love.” He wrote,
“Just google ‘ordo amoris.’ Aside from that, the idea that there isn’t a hierarchy of obligations violates basic common sense.”
But Pope Leo followed up by sharing an article from a Jesuit publication titled,
“Pope Francis’ letter, JD Vance’s ‘ordo amoris’ and what the Gospel asks of all of us on immigration.”
It was a subtle but clear continuation of the conversation, emphasizing Gospel values over political rhetoric.
Latest Message: A Quiet Rebuke of Trump-Era Deportation
One of Pope Leo’s first reposts as pontiff was a story criticizing the Trump administration’s deportation of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia — a U.S. resident wrongly deported to El Salvador due to a government error. The post noted that Garcia ended up in one of the world’s most notorious prisons and remains unable to return home.
Though not a direct political statement, the message echoed Pope Leo’s core values — compassion, justice, and a commitment to the marginalized.
JD Vance Offers Congratulations
Despite their past disagreements, JD Vance publicly congratulated Pope Leo on his election:
“I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!”
A Papacy Poised for Compassion — and Challenge
In a world increasingly polarized by politics and ideology, Pope Leo XIV steps into his role with humility and a deep-rooted mission: to advocate for the forgotten and preach unity through faith.
Whether his approach will challenge political leaders, inspire the faithful, or shift conversations on immigration and global compassion — one thing is clear: Pope Leo XIV has already begun to make his mark.
