The election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, has drawn a range of responses in the United States, with some conservative figures expressing concern over his past remarks on immigration and politics.
The election of Pope Leo XIV — the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church — has prompted varied reactions in the United States, particularly among conservative political figures aligned with President Donald Trump.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, is known for his past roles in the Church and his close association with Pope Francis. While President Trump described his election as a “great honour” for the United States, some of his supporters have raised questions over the Pope’s previous remarks on immigration and social issues.
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon told the BBC that he was surprised by some of Pope Leo’s past comments on social media, particularly those viewed as critical of US immigration policies. He noted that such differences in perspective could potentially cause friction.
Others in conservative media echoed similar concerns, citing social media posts believed to reflect Pope Leo’s support for immigrant rights and discussions of Catholic social teaching. The Vatican has not officially verified the account linked to these posts.
John Prevost, the Pope’s brother, stated in interviews that Pope Leo XIV holds strong personal views on immigration and may voice them publicly during his papacy. However, the extent to which these views will influence his global leadership remains to be seen.
According to Pew Research Center, approximately 20% of Americans identify as Catholic, with diverse political and social perspectives within the group. While Pope Francis received generally favourable ratings from most US Catholics, conservative segments have often been more critical.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops welcomed the new Pope’s election, pointing to his emphasis on peace, unity, and mission as a sign of continuity within Church leadership.
In Chicago, where Pope Leo XIV grew up, local Catholics expressed pride and hope, many saying they wished for continued focus on social justice and inclusion.
While some conservative voices expressed reservations, others, including Vice-President JD Vance, offered a balanced view. Vance said he expected to have both agreements and disagreements with the new Pope, but reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Church.
Pope Leo XIV’s positions on key matters such as immigration, economic justice, and Church governance are expected to become clearer as his papacy progresses.
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The death toll from floods and landslides following cyclonic rains in the Indonesian island of Sumatra has risen to 303, the head of the country's disaster mitigation agency said on Saturday, up from a previous figure of 174.
Hong Kong on Saturday mourned the 128 people known to have died in a massive fire at a high-rise apartment complex, a toll that is likely to rise with 150 still missing days after the disaster.
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China announced a sweeping inspection of fire-safety standards in high-rise buildings nationwide on Saturday after a deadly fire in Hong Kong left at least 128 people dead.
The death toll from floods and landslides following cyclonic rains in the Indonesian island of Sumatra has risen to 303, the head of the country's disaster mitigation agency said on Saturday, up from a previous figure of 174.
Hong Kong on Saturday mourned the 128 people known to have died in a massive fire at a high-rise apartment complex, a toll that is likely to rise with 150 still missing days after the disaster.
The global recall of Airbus A320 aircraft has triggered widespread disruption across several major airlines, forcing flight cancellations in the United States, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Pope Leo visited Istanbul’s Blue Mosque on Saturday, stepping inside one of the most iconic sites of the Muslim world. He removed his shoes at the entrance in a gesture of respect. He did not appear to pray.
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