In brief
The recent elevation of Cardinal Prevost to Pope Leo XIV has ignited a divide within the MAGA movement, with some of Trump's most ardent supporters labeling the new pontiff as an adversary, citing his progressive stance akin to that of Pope Francis.
In a dramatic turn of events, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost ascended to the papacy as Pope Leo XIV on May 9, 2025, quickly drawing a mix of reactions from different corners of the political spectrum. President Trump expressed his enthusiasm, highlighting the significance of having the first U.S.-born pope in history and calling it an “exciting” moment. However, the reaction from Trump’s base has been far less celebratory.Laura Loomer, a prominent far-right activist aligned with the MAGA movement, immediately took to social media to voice her disapproval of Pope Leo XIV. She characterized him as “anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open Borders, and a total Marxist,” suggesting that he would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pope Francis, whom she criticized for his progressive stances.The conservative backlash continued to resonate as pundits and guests on Steve Bannon’s right-wing “War Room” podcast echoed Loomer’s sentiments, reinforcing the view that Pope Leo XIV would embody a continuation of Francis's approach, particularly regarding issues such as migration which often contradicted Trump’s policies.As the new pontiff settles into his role, the question remains whether he will seek to bridge divides within the Catholic Church or if he will face ongoing scrutiny and dissent from factions within the MAGA movement that view him as an ideological opponent.
