'Recipe for division': MAGA Catholic fears new pope will clash with Trump

The election of Robert Prevost as the first American pope is being seen as a significant development, especially given his opposition to some of President Donald Trump's policies.

Last month, Prevost reposted a post on the social platform X sharing a piece by Bishop Menjivar that criticized Trump's policy on immigrants.

Earlier in February, Prevost had posted about Vice President JD Vance that has now gone viral. Sharing an opinion piece from the National Catholic Reporter critical of Vance, he reposted the headline of the op-ed: "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others."

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In an article published Thursday, Politico quoted Ramesh Ponnuru, a conservative commentator and practicing Catholic, as saying: “The fact that he’s American raises the possibility that the front-and-center issues are going to continue to be sort of first-world issues — and that could be, again, a recipe for division and tension with the administration."

Prevost has enough local credibility to influence Catholic Republicans more effectively than his predecessor and to speak with a stronger impact in the United States, the article notes.

Reacting to the news of his election, the present said in a post on his Truth Social platform: “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!”

While Trump welcomed Prevost's election, analysts believe the pope may continue to speak his mind about the administration, which could lead to conflict.

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"Like his predecessor, Leo hails from a more progressive, inclusive wing of Catholicism, preaching peace and the importance of building bridges in his first address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, though it appears he still holds traditional Catholic views on LGBTQ+ issues," the article said.

"Already, the pope is earning enemies in his homeland as conservative Catholics in Washington, D.C., sent flurries of texts Thursday afternoon sharing posts from a social media account under Leo’s name criticizing Trump and Vice President JD Vance," the article added.

Meanwhile, according to Vatican analyst Katie McGrady, Prevost "has the training to put all of the loud American Catholics in their place."

"He's a canon lawyer. He knows the teachings of the church and the laws of the church very intimately," she said during an appearance on CNN Thursday.

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