Pope Leo XIV sparks outrage among Catholics supporting Trump. The most violent reaction from the MAGA movement (“Make America Great Again”) occurred after Leon stated that supporters of the death penalty cannot call themselves pro-life. Joseph Strickland, a bishop from Texas, wrote in an open letter that “The Church I love is being broken.”
John Yep, head of the conservative group Catholics for Catholics, said the pope's position on migrants suggests that he “does not understand what is happening” in America. And this is only the beginning of the great war between the throne and the altar, which flared up after Leo XIV took over the See of Peter.
On October 25, American Cardinal Raymond Burke celebrated a solemn mass in the Latin rite in St. Peter's Basilica. Peter in the Vatican, full of incense and nostalgia. Just a year ago, such a spectacle would have been unthinkable – Pope Francis, who died in April, strictly limited the celebration of Mass in Latin.
Cardinal Burke, who led the traditionalist revolt against Francis' liberal reforms, was stripped of all prominent positions.
Cardinal Raymond BurkeFranco Origlia / Contributor / Getty Images
For some conservative Catholics who had been pushing for the Latin Mass since the Church made it optional in the 1960s, it was a vindication of their position.
Others, however, saw it as a gesture intended to reassure them. Pope Leo XIV, who allowed masses to be celebrated, seemed pleased. He played into the hands of traditionalists while adopting Francis' positions on issues such as poverty, inequality and climate change.
Benjamin Harnwell, a correspondent for WarRoom, a podcast related to the MAGA movement, said that traditionalists were “bribed”.
Conservative Catholics in America, many of whom voted for Donald Trump, had hoped for a pope who would stay silent on migrants and capitalism and attract back wealthy right-wing donors whom Francis had alienated.
Evolution, but not revolution in the Vatican
Instead, Leon condemned the “inhumane” US deportation policies under Donald Trump. During a meeting with American bishops in October, he urged them to speak out on these issues.
Shortly after Trump called climate change a “hoax,” the pope rebuked leaders who “mocker global warming” and then blessed a piece of ice from Greenland [wyspa traci pokrywę lodową szybciej niż kiedykolwiek]. Conservatives called this gesture pagan.
While Francis often acted boldly, Leon's style is slow and cautious. Leon is “more intelligent, more subtle than Francis, and therefore more dangerous,” Harnwell said.
Leo XIVStefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images / Contributor / Getty Images
While the new pope supports greater lay and women's influence on church policy and doctrine, he will likely disappoint progressives on abortion and gender issues.
But overall, Pope Leo's Vatican is clearly leaning more to the left. Conservatives got their mass, but not their man.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
