Trump’s Remarks on New Pope: Unveiling a Historic Church Leadership Shift

Large dome with statues on curved building

In a historic moment for American Catholics, President Trump took to Truth Social to congratulate Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago on becoming Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff in the Catholic Church’s history.

Key Takeaways

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago was elected as Pope Leo XIV becoming the first American pope in history.
President Trump celebrated the historic appointment on Truth Social, calling it a “Great Honor for our Country.”
Pope Leo XIV, age 69, previously criticized Trump and Vance’s immigration policies on social media.
The new pope is known as a moderate who was close to Pope Francis and has experience as a missionary in Peru.
Vice President Vance also congratulated Leo XIV despite past disagreements on Catholic teachings regarding immigration.

First American Pope Makes History

White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago became Pope Leo XIV, the 267th pontiff and first American to lead the Catholic Church. The 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order was born in Chicago on September 14, 1955, and addressed the faithful from the central loggia balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica following the conclave. His election marks a significant shift in Catholic leadership, as previous popes have predominantly come from European countries, particularly Italy.

President Donald Trump quickly responded to the news on his Truth Social platform, emphasizing the historic nature of an American ascending to the papacy. “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. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment,” Trump wrote, highlighting the national significance of the appointment.

President Donald Trump says it's a 'great honor' to have an American pope and says 'they've already called' when asked about potential meeting

READ: https://t.co/zXHmXrIPuF pic.twitter.com/KMdxgO9NGH

— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 8, 2025

Past Tensions and New Beginnings

While Trump celebrated the appointment, Pope Leo XIV’s past social media activity reveals he has not always aligned with the President’s policies. Before his election, then-Cardinal Prevost had been critical of the Trump-Vance administration’s immigration stance. He shared posts challenging Vice President Vance’s interpretation of Catholic teachings on immigration and retweeted criticism of Trump. In February 2025, he highlighted an article refuting Vance’s use of medieval Catholic teachings to justify restrictive immigration policies.

Despite these past differences, Vice President Vance also extended congratulations to the new pontiff. The White House has not officially commented on Leo XIV’s previous criticisms of the administration, choosing instead to focus on the historic significance of his election. This approach suggests a potential reset in relations between the American leadership and the Vatican, which had experienced tensions during Pope Francis’s tenure over immigration policies and cuts to foreign aid programs.

A Moderate Voice with Global Experience

Pope Leo XIV is described as a moderate who maintained a close relationship with his predecessor, Pope Francis, who died at 88 years old. His background includes significant missionary work in Peru, giving him international perspective beyond his American roots. This experience may shape his approach to global Catholic issues and potentially influence his interactions with world leaders, including the Trump administration, on matters of immigration, poverty, and human rights.

The election of an American pope represents a significant moment for the 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide and particularly for the estimated 70 million American Catholics. As Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy, observers will be watching how his American heritage influences his leadership of the global church and whether his past criticisms of Trump administration policies will affect diplomatic relations between the United States and the Holy See. For now, both Trump and Vance have chosen to emphasize unity and respect for the new pontiff’s position.