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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Some of Pope Leo XIV's online posts have sparked criticism from Make America Great Again (MAGA) supporters, who took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the new pope on Thursday shortly after he was named pontiff.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email for comment on Thursday.
Why It Matters
On Thursday, Cardinal Robert Prevost was named Pope Leo, becoming the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church. He was chosen as the new pope—the 267th leader of the Catholic Church—on the second day of the conclave.
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The pope is the head of the Catholic Church, which comprises some 1.4 billion followers around the world. The new pontiff was born in a suburb of Chicago.
When it comes to division in the Catholic hierarchy regarding the inclusive views Pope Francis adopted, Leo represents the "dignified middle of the road," the Reverend Michele Falcone, priest in the Order of St. Augustine, told The New York Times on May 2.
What To Know
Months before his death, Francis issued a forceful condemnation of President Donald Trump's sweeping deportation policies, warning that expelling migrants solely on the basis of their undocumented status strips them of their dignity and "will end badly."
Based on previous posts made to his social media account, Leo adopts a similar stance. In 2015, he reshared an article from The Washington Post titled "Cardinal Dolan: Why Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric is so problematic."
In 2017, he reshared a message from Sister Helen Prejean that read: "I stand with the #Dreamers and all people who are working toward an immigration system that is fair, just, and moral."
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More recently, Leo shared an opinion article published in February titled "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others" from the National Catholic Reporter. The article addressed comments made by the vice president to Fox News in January.
On Thursday, MAGA supporters called attention to Leo's reshare of the article, with political strategist Joey Mannarino calling the new pope a "liberal piece of [s***]" in a post to X, formerly Twitter.
Other MAGA supporters shared older posts from him, with similar criticism of his views.
Despite these stances, Trump and Vance congratulated Leo on Thursday.
What People Are Saying
Laura Loomer posted on X: "The new Pope @drprevost supports illegal aliens and open borders. He retweeted tweets in support of "dreamers" aka illegals and attacked President Trump's use of the phrase "bad hombres" to describe violent illegal aliens. He thinks it's a "racist" phrase."
John Strand, who served time for felony obstruction of an official proceeding and four misdemeanors in relation to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, posted on X: "BREAKING: New Pope Robert Prevost has posted numerous items of anti-America First propaganda and in support of the Climate Cult This is a terrible sign"
Jack Poso, a Catholic, posted on X: "Here is the new Pope attacking Trump"
The White House posted to X on Thursday afternoon: "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!" –President Donald J. Trump"
Vance, in a post to X on Thursday: "Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, 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!"
What Happens Next
Leo's authority began immediately upon his selection. The announcement has been met with celebration among Catholics and others around the world.
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