Maga says Pope Leo may be American, but he's not 'America first'

[Michie]

Catholicism has rarely been more prominent in US politics as the Trump administration openly embraces advisers and officials who proudly say faith has shaped their politics.

But any jubilation on the American Make America Great Again right about the new Pope this week quickly dissipated as key voices from Donald Trump's Maga movement came to a disappointed conclusion: the first American Pope does not appear to be "America first".
Little is known about the political leanings of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago.

He has voiced concerns for the poor and immigrants, chosen a name that may reference more liberal church leadership, and he appears to have both supported the liberal-leaning Pope Francis and criticised the US president's policies on social media.

Continued below.

Maga criticises the first American pope as not 'America First'

Pope Leo XIV has expressed support for immigrants and criticism of JD Vance. Donald Trump's supporters aren't happy.

www.bbc.com

 

[Tuur]

Catholicism has rarely been more prominent in US politics as the Trump administration openly embraces advisers and officials who proudly say faith has shaped their politics.

But any jubilation on the American Make America Great Again right about the new Pope this week quickly dissipated as key voices from Donald Trump's Maga movement came to a disappointed conclusion: the first American Pope does not appear to be "America first".
Little is known about the political leanings of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago.

He has voiced concerns for the poor and immigrants, chosen a name that may reference more liberal church leadership, and he appears to have both supported the liberal-leaning Pope Francis and criticised the US president's policies on social media.

Continued below.

Maga criticises the first American pope as not 'America First'

Pope Leo XIV has expressed support for immigrants and criticism of JD Vance. Donald Trump's supporters aren't happy.

www.bbc.com

A story from the BBC carries its own warning label. Somehow I doubt a British broadcaster has its finger on the pulse of MAGA.

First, since MAGA is a political statement that has attracted different denominations, there is no "MAGA" says. Second, ideally popes do not represent the country they come from. In Leo XIV's case, I consider him more a Peruvian simply from the time he's spent there. Just like an American missionary I knew who spent practically her entire life in China and Taiwan had more of a Chinese outlook. Yet this Protestant doesn't expect Leo XIV to make "American" or "Peruvian" policy the policy of Catholicism. Such isn't done, and those who expect it are going to be disappointed. This isn't the 14th Century, this isn't Avignon, and Pope Leo XIV isn't Clement V.

So what does this politically conservative US Baptist think? That if Leo XIV didn't agree with Francis' way of doing things, the late pope wouldn't have put him in a position of authority. My feeling is he will be more like Francis. Without any malice, I'm surprised he didn't pick Francie II. Note that John Paul II followed John Paul I, though the latter was pope only a little more than a month. I also expect the secular press to make much of things it knows nothing about. I'm raising my eyebrow at "American pope" and "Chicago pope" as I expect these things won't enter into his reasoning very much if at all. The big issue is doctrines, and for that all we can do is look at Francis, and even there I don't except a Vatican III.

 

[Laodicean60]

We all know that tribalism in Christianity has some Christians not liking Catholics, and tribalism in politics is so deeply ingrained that there are only two types of people in the world: liberal or conservative, and judgment is based on those two aspects. Am I MAGA? Of course I am, no matter who is president. The media has warped that phrase to be a curse word.

"This guy has been massively embraced by the liberals and the progressives," said Ben Harnwell, a journalist who led Bannon's efforts to establish what he calls a "gladiator school" for the "Judeo-Christian West" outside of Rome.


The Pope should reside outside the political box, and within this awesome message, especially the peace part! But God's word is true," war and rumors of wars".

"Certainly, we rejoice that a son of this nation has been chosen by the cardinals, but we recognise that he now belongs to all Catholics and to all people of good will," the conference said in a statement. "His words advocating peace, unity, and missionary activity already indicate a path forward."

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

"This guy has been massively embraced by the liberals and the progressives," said Ben Harnwell, a journalist who led Bannon's efforts to establish what he calls a "gladiator school" for the "Judeo-Christian West" outside of Rome.

I think though that when it comes to issues related to sexuality and family liberals will not be embracing him at all.

 

[Laodicean60]

I think though that when it comes to issues related to sexuality and family liberals will not be embracing him at all.

Maybe liberal Christians will, after all, he is the Pope.

 

[RileyG]

I think though that when it comes to issues related to sexuality and family liberals will not be embracing him at all.

Well? He is a Catholic embracing Catholic teaching after all, the Church is neither liberal nor conservative,

 

[Yarddog]

Catholicism has rarely been more prominent in US politics as the Trump administration openly embraces advisers and officials who proudly say faith has shaped their politics.

But any jubilation on the American Make America Great Again right about the new Pope this week quickly dissipated as key voices from Donald Trump's Maga movement came to a disappointed conclusion: the first American Pope does not appear to be "America first".
Little is known about the political leanings of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago.

He has voiced concerns for the poor and immigrants, chosen a name that may reference more liberal church leadership, and he appears to have both supported the liberal-leaning Pope Francis and criticised the US president's policies on social media.

Continued below.

Maga criticises the first American pope as not 'America First'

Pope Leo XIV has expressed support for immigrants and criticism of JD Vance. Donald Trump's supporters aren't happy.

www.bbc.com

Of course he's not "America first". He's GOD first.
That is why he is critical of Trump's policies.

 

[RileyG]

Of course he's not "America first". He's GOD first.
That is why he is critical of Trump's policies.

Exactly. God comes first before any nation, just like in the book of the prophet Jonah! God shows no favorites!

 

[BobRyan]

But any jubilation on the American Make America Great Again right about the new Pope this week quickly dissipated as key voices from Donald Trump's Maga movement came to a disappointed conclusion: the first American Pope does not appear to be "America first".

Technically Francis - Jorge Mario Bergoglio - is the first "American" Pope.

Robert Prevost is the first US Pope.

I saw a Youtube vid about why there has been such a stigma against having a US Pope all this time. It has to do with combining too much influence into a single nation. With the US as a dominant political, economic, military power - it was felt that having a US pope would pile on too much influence in a single nation.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Of course he's not "America first". He's GOD first.
That is why he is critical of Trump's policies.

I think he will challenge our self centeredness while Trump feeds it.

 

[Yarddog]

I think he will challenge our self centeredness while Trump feeds it.

Probably right.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Catholicism has rarely been more prominent in US politics as the Trump administration openly embraces advisers and officials who proudly say faith has shaped their politics.

But any jubilation on the American Make America Great Again right about the new Pope this week quickly dissipated as key voices from Donald Trump's Maga movement came to a disappointed conclusion: the first American Pope does not appear to be "America first".
Little is known about the political leanings of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago.

He has voiced concerns for the poor and immigrants, chosen a name that may reference more liberal church leadership, and he appears to have both supported the liberal-leaning Pope Francis and criticised the US president's policies on social media.

Continued below.

Maga criticises the first American pope as not 'America First'

Pope Leo XIV has expressed support for immigrants and criticism of JD Vance. Donald Trump's supporters aren't happy.

www.bbc.com

In all fairness, as the leader of the Catholic Church and the King of the Vatican, I would expect the Pope to put the Church first over the country.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

Catholicism has rarely been more prominent in US politics as the Trump administration openly embraces advisers and officials who proudly say faith has shaped their politics.

But any jubilation on the American Make America Great Again right about the new Pope this week quickly dissipated as key voices from Donald Trump's Maga movement came to a disappointed conclusion: the first American Pope does not appear to be "America first".
Little is known about the political leanings of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago.

He has voiced concerns for the poor and immigrants, chosen a name that may reference more liberal church leadership, and he appears to have both supported the liberal-leaning Pope Francis and criticised the US president's policies on social media.

Continued below.

Maga criticises the first American pope as not 'America First'

Pope Leo XIV has expressed support for immigrants and criticism of JD Vance. Donald Trump's supporters aren't happy.

www.bbc.com

I am not Catholic, but I greatly respected Pope Francis and hope Pope Leo will be equally commendable. May God be with him and guide him to do His will.

 

[Michie]

In all fairness, as the leader of the Catholic Church and the King of the Vatican, I would expect the Pope to put the Church first over the country.

I’m sure that is the case. While the Church is to be a light on a dark world, the media always hijacks the actions of the pope into some sort of political mover and shaker or marking him as liberal or conservative. His mission is to be a witness to the world and shepherd the flock. He is a representative of Christ and Christ was about His Father’s business of furthering the Kindgom of God. God came to save the world. Not just one Country.

 

[trophy33]

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump

So funny to watch old timer Martha Raditz on ABC Fake News (the Slopadopolus show!) this morning, blurt out that, effectively, Pope Leo’s selection had nothing to do with Donald Trump. It came out of nowhere, but it was on her Trump Deranged Mind. Remember, I did WIN the Catholic Vote, by a lot! Bob Iger should do something about the losers and haters he’s got on his low rated shows. It’s time for change. MAGA!!!

Truth Social

Truth Social is America's "Big Tent" social media platform that encourages an open, free, and honest global conversation without discriminating on the basis of political ideology.

truthsocial.com

Is Trump saying that they selected an American pope because he is president? I am not sure what he is trying to say.

 

[Michie]

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump

So funny to watch old timer Martha Raditz on ABC Fake News (the Slopadopolus show!) this morning, blurt out that, effectively, Pope Leo’s selection had nothing to do with Donald Trump. It came out of nowhere, but it was on her Trump Deranged Mind. Remember, I did WIN the Catholic Vote, by a lot! Bob Iger should do something about the losers and haters he’s got on his low rated shows. It’s time for change. MAGA!!!

Truth Social

Truth Social is America's "Big Tent" social media platform that encourages an open, free, and honest global conversation without discriminating on the basis of political ideology.

truthsocial.com

Is Trump saying that they selected an American pope because he is president? I am not sure what he is trying to say.

Hard to decipher but I think he is at least alluding to that. Electing an American born Pope is of course due to MAGA. Whatever. Not how it works.

Nothing to get all wound up about because he is a bit ignorant on social graces.

 

[FireDragon76]

Well? He is a Catholic embracing Catholic teaching after all, the Church is neither liberal nor conservative,

Let's be real, though... most religious institutions have tended to be coded conservative and cliquish, if not in practice. I got the same rhetoric in Eastern Orthodoxy, and it mislead me for the better part of a decade. Religion attracts alot of fragile and broken people, even in Jesus day, many of whom value order more than truth. Truth is too unsettling.

I think though that when it comes to issues related to sexuality and family liberals will not be embracing him at all.

I expect that he will continue Francis' legacy.

Privately, many educated Catholic clergy, especially in the Vatican, are well ahead of Catholic laity in some parts of the world, but being institutionalists, are not interested in ripping the communion apart. Catholic ethics has been trending towards proportionalism and personalism in ethics for quite some time, it's just a question of how to integrate that into an institution that for centuries has argued to the contrary.

There's a real problem among people in the modern world, whether they are Catholic are Protestant... what good is organized religion now days, is it even worth it? Does organized religion come at the expense of our integrity? Even if they don't say it aloud, they will privately acknowledge this doubt, even to themselves. At least Pope Leo's statement opens up the fact that doubt is very much there, and in that way he's promoting authenticity.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump

So funny to watch old timer Martha Raditz on ABC Fake News (the Slopadopolus show!) this morning, blurt out that, effectively, Pope Leo’s selection had nothing to do with Donald Trump. It came out of nowhere, but it was on her Trump Deranged Mind. Remember, I did WIN the Catholic Vote, by a lot! Bob Iger should do something about the losers and haters he’s got on his low rated shows. It’s time for change. MAGA!!!

Truth Social

Truth Social is America's "Big Tent" social media platform that encourages an open, free, and honest global conversation without discriminating on the basis of political ideology.

truthsocial.com

Is Trump saying that they selected an American pope because he is president? I am not sure what he is trying to say.

Donald Trump won the national Catholic vote by a significant margin in 2024. Exit polls indicate that 56% of Catholics voted for Trump, while 41% voted for Kamala Harris.

 

[trophy33]

Donald Trump won the national Catholic vote by a significant margin in 2024. Exit polls indicate that 56% of Catholics voted for Trump, while 41% voted for Kamala Harris.

Therefore?

 

[Tuur]

Hard to decipher but I think he is at least alluding to that. Electing an American born Pope is of course due to MAGA. Whatever. Not how it works.

Nothing to get all wound up about because he is a bit ignorant on social graces.

It looks like equal parts naivety and narcissism to me.