Following Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost's election as Pope Leo XIV, President Trump congratulated the first American pontiff, but some MAGA movement figures condemned him as a progressive and Marxist figure, reflecting their concerns over potential continuity with Pope Francis’s policies.
Pope Leo XIV Faces Opposition from MAGA Allies Despite Trump's Praise
Pope Leo XIV Faces Opposition from MAGA Allies Despite Trump's Praise
The American-born Pope Leo XIV receives mixed reactions, as some Trump supporters label him an ideological adversary akin to Pope Francis.
When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was announced as Pope Leo XIV, President Trump quickly praised the first U.S.-born pontiff, expressing excitement at this historic moment. However, the response from Trump's staunch supporters revealed a stark division within the Republican base.
Prominent far-right activists, including Laura Loomer, took to social media to voice their discontent with the new pope. Loomer characterized Leo XIV as “anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open Borders, and a total Marxist,” drawing parallels between him and his predecessor, Pope Francis. She expressed skepticism regarding the future direction of the Catholic Church under Leo, asserting that Catholics have little to look forward to, calling him just “another Marxist puppet in the Vatican.”
Supportive voices of Trump also chimed in on conservative platforms, such as Steve Bannon’s "War Room" podcast, further labeling Leo XIV as a progressive continuation of Pope Francis, who advocated for migrant rights and often clashed with Trump’s policies. This backlash suggests a challenging relationship moving forward, as the MAGA movement grapples with a pope whose views may not align with their expectations or political ideologies.
