The newly elected leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, has a well-documented history of critiquing immigration policies under the Trump administration. Recently, he publicly criticized Vice President J.D. Vance on social media, stating that Vance was “wrong” in his interpretation of Christian teachings.
As Cardinal Robert Prevost, the pope took to his X profile to address Vance’s interview on Fox News, where Vance used the medieval Catholic concept of “ordo amoris” or “order of love” to defend the administration’s immigration stance. The pope disagreed, stating, “JD Vance is wrong. Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
Pope Leo XIV, aged 69, shared this critique along with an article from the National Catholic Reporter that discussed the backlash to Vance’s comments. Observers are closely examining the Chicago, Illinois-born pope’s account for insights into the first American pope’s political perspectives.
In January, Vance cited “ordo amoris” to justify immigration policies, suggesting a hierarchy of love prioritizing family and fellow citizens before others. Pope Francis, Leo XIV’s predecessor, had already addressed Vance’s interpretation, offering a theological correction in a letter to U.S. bishops, which refuted Vance’s understanding and criticized Trump’s deportation policies.
Agreeing with his predecessor, Pope Leo XIV further commented on social media, sharing an America, The Jesuit Review article discussing the theological debate around “ordo amoris” and its implications for immigration. This concept, rooted in the teachings of St. Augustine, aligns with the order to which Pope Leo XIV belongs.
In a February post, the pope highlighted an article titled “Pope Francis’ letter, J.D. Vance’s ‘ordo amoris’ and what the Gospel asks of all of us on immigration,” further engaging with the ongoing discourse on Trump’s immigration policies and Vance’s interpretation of Catholic theology.
This marks the first instance of a pope having a personal social media presence before taking office. Unlike Pope Francis, whose account was managed by Vatican staff, the former Cardinal Prevost managed his own, often discussing church matters and occasionally political issues.
Beyond Vance, Pope Leo XIV has also criticized President Trump and El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele regarding the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father deported to El Salvador, now central to a constitutional dispute involving Trump and the courts.
The pope’s opposition to Trump’s immigration policies dates back nearly a decade. In 2015, he shared an article by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, New York, criticizing Trump’s rhetoric. The Washington Post tweet he shared explicitly named Trump, contrasting with Dolan’s more general op-ed on welcoming strangers.
Pope Leo XIV also addressed social justice issues, such as racism and the death penalty, on social media. He commented on George Floyd’s death in 2020, calling for church leaders to “reject racism and seek justice,” and retweeted Sister Helen Prejean’s support for DACA recipients.
His social media activity reflects a pope concerned with social justice, often diverging from the Trump administration’s policies. While mainly focused on Catholic matters, his political commentary hints at his papacy’s potential engagement with contemporary issues.
Despite their differences, Vice President Vance congratulated the new pope, saying, “I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!” Vance wrote on X.
President Trump also expressed congratulations on Truth Social, noting the honor of having the first American pope and looking forward to meeting him, calling it a “very meaningful moment.”
Supporters of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement have shown displeasure with the pope’s past criticisms. Activist Laura Loomer commented on his posts, criticizing him as “anti-MAGA and WOKE” and labeling him an “Open Borders Pope.”
Pope Leo XIV’s election as the first American pontiff is a historic event. Born in Chicago in 1955, he served as a missionary in Peru, where he gained citizenship, and was twice elected prior general of the Augustinian order before his Vatican appointments under Pope Francis.
As observers analyze his past statements and social media history, the new pope’s stance on immigration policies and his theological debate with Vance may indicate how he will address global migration and national borders during his tenure.
During his first press conference, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of compassionate and respectful communication, indirectly critiquing aggressive political rhetoric.
