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May 8, 2025 - World

The new leader of the Catholic Church hails from the United States — and MAGA is elated. This detail is not lost on those familiar with Pope Leo XIV when he was still Robert Francis Prevost. While the new pope, known for supporting science and giving communion to divorced people, questioned Vice President JD Vance after a statement that people who care for others only after their own family is taken care of.Prevost responded, saying that Jesus "doesn't ask us to rank our love for others."Writing an op-ed for the National Catholic Reporter, he said, "The point wasn't about setting limits on love. It was about breaking them down — taking the gospel beyond familiar spaces and into contested ones. If anything, those of us in the United States are the ends of the earth, unimaginable to the earliest Christians. And yet, the gospel has already reached us. The real question is not whether love begins at home. It's what we do with it — how far we are willing to change ourselves and the world around us."Prevost also retweeted an April 14 post by Philadelphia-based Catholic writer Rocco Palmo, who castigated Trump and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele after their White House meeting to discuss migrant deportations, including the plight of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a legal U.S. resident mistakenly sent to the notorious CECOT prison.Former Ambassador to the Holy See, Miguel Diaz, described the new Pope Leo XIV as being a "moderate voice." He told MSNBC that he anticipates the pope will "create the spaces" for debate on issues like elevating women in the church and same-sex marriage. ALSO READ: Trump is a troll – but his 'ugly' pope selfie demands a damning responseMany pro-Trump and MAGA members seemed more focused on the fact that the pope is an American, ignoring his support of a more Pope Francis-style agenda. Republican Steve Cortes posted a photo of the new pope, calling on others, "Pray for our new Pope! An American."After not saying anything on X since May 3, former Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) posted just after the announcement, "We've entered the Golden Age of America." "Pope Leo XIV — the first American pope in history!" cheered Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX).Conservative former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee, similarly said, "Praying for my Catholic friends & extending high hopes for their new leader. God's blessing on Pope Leo XIV!"Such responses led to some mockery of those celebrating conservatives. Former official Chris D. Jackson saw the celebration and commented, "It’s hilarious watching MAGA cheer the new Pope—completely unaware he’s on record trashing both Trump and J.D. Vance. Peak 'we didn’t read the article, we just liked the headline' energy."Other MAGA acolytes appeared to read beyond the headline. Laura Loomer was one of few in the MAGA world who saw that Pope Leo XIV was supportive of immigrants. She called it "gross." She also called him a "MARXIST POPE!" finding a tweet from the now-pope showing his support of praying for George Floyd. Conservative Charlie Kirk said that he found voting records showing that the new pope was a registered Republican and voted in GOP primaries.However, a fact-check quickly came from Henry Olsen of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, saying, "Illinois has no party registration. This merely means he cast a Republican ballot in the last party primary."

May 8, 2025 - World

After history was made Thursday with the announcement that the Catholic church had a new pope, users took to social media to express pride that Leo XIV was an American from Chicago."Holy smokes!! An American Pope! From CHICAGO!!!" wrote Democratic consultant David Axelrod.Late Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) daughter Meghan McCain posted, "THE FIRST AMERICAN POPE!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS AMAZING!!!!""Robert Prevost - the first American pope, is a Villanova grad," wrote Barstool Philly.ALSO READ: ‘Pain. Grief. Anger’: Families heartbroken as Trump backlash smashes adoption dreams"Robert Prevost from Chicago has been elected Pope - the first American Pope in history," wrote podcaster Mueller, She Wrote.Journalist and influencer Kat Abughazaleh posted, "CHICAGO POPE?!""We finally have a Chicago Guy for pope," wrote New York Times columnist Jamelle.Author Meg Elison wrote, "the holy pizza wars have begun."Journalist Ed Krassenstein wrote, "Meet Pope Leo XIV of AMERICA -- Robert F. Prevost. He's a centrist with progressive views on social issues."Barstool Chicago wrote, "The first American pope was born and raised in Chicago. Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV.""The first American born Pope is also from the Midwest," wrote Midwest vs. Everybody.

May 8, 2025 - World

Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69 — now known as Pope Leo XIV — was named as the first leader of the Catholic church to come from America Thursday.Born in Chicago, Prevost spent much of his career serving as a missionary in Peru. He was made a cardinal by the previous Pope, Francis, just two years ago. He was a strong supporter of his predecessor.For the past two years, he has worked in the Vatican choosing priests that should serve as Bishops across the world. In a signal that he supports work done by Pope Francis to bring more liberal ideology to the Vatican, he said in 2023, "Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the Church."

May 8, 2025 - World

President Donald Trump gave his congratulations to the new pope, an American from Chicago, who has taken the name Pope Leo XIV.On Truth Social, Trump posted that he was looking forward to meeting the Holy Father."Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope," Trump wrote. "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!"ALSO READ: ‘Pain. Grief. Anger’: Families heartbroken as Trump backlash smashes adoption dreamsThe new pope addressed the crowd in St. Peter's Square about an hour after white smoke began billowing from the roof of the Sistine Chapel.Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away after giving an Easter Sunday address to the faithful outside the Vatican.

May 8, 2025 - World

A new Pope has been named in Vatican City.The announcement came minutes after white smoke was seen coming from a Sistine Chapel chimney, a historic signal that a conclave of cardinals had made their decision.The new Pope was revealed as Robert F. Prevost, an American. The announcement was made by him walking out onto the Vatican balcony.He took the name Pope Leo XIV.