US-born Pope Leo’s past criticism of Trump and Vance sparks Maga backlash

Before becoming pontiff, the first US-born pope was not shy about criticising President Donald Trump and Vice-President J.D. Vance – social media musings that pulled him into the maelstrom of divided US politics on Thursday as he took on leadership of the global Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV, who was chosen by cardinals to succeed the late Pope Francis, has a handful of disapproving posts about the Republican leaders’ policies on the X account of Robert Prevost, his name before starting the pontificate.

Those posts drew their own criticism on Thursday from Trump’s most die-hard conservative supporters, including activist Laura Loomer, even as the president himself expressed pride at having an American in charge at the Vatican.

Trump, who had posted an AI-generated image of himself in papal clothes a few days earlier, said the election of the first pope from the United States was a “great honour for our country”. Asked if he would meet with Leo, Trump said “they’ve already called”.

White House officials did not comment about the criticisms on Prevost’s account. Staff at the White House cheered the election of the first American-born pope on Thursday as the news came across their television screens.