For the first time in history, an American was chosen to direct the Catholic church, while the cardinals have selected Pope Leo XIV – or Cardinal Robert Prevost, originally from Chicago – As a new pontiff.
The surprise decision comes at a time of political tension in the United States. Advice on postures Pope Leo XIV could take controversial problems can come from his activity on social networks In recent years.
As a cardinal, Prevost has shared articles on X on political issues for years, including criticism of the Trump administration on immigration.
President Trump Thursday Congratulations LeoWriting on social networks that it was “a great honor for our country” and adding that “I can’t wait to meet him”.
The new Pope shared the criticism of JD Vance – and Trump’s immigration policies
In February, the Pope now common a national Catholic journalist article This criticized the response of vice-president JD Vance to a question on immigration. Vance is Catholic converted who met Pope Francis Last month, just one day before Francis’ death.
In an interview, Vance had declared that Christian teachings defended the prioritization of love, first for the family, then the neighbors, the community, the other citizens and finally the world.
Prevost cited the title of the article: “JD Vance is false: Jesus does not ask us to classify our love for others.”
Her most recent republishingIn April, shared the comments of a Catholic writer on Mr. Trump meeting With President Salvadoran Nayib Bukele. The post called the expulsion of the Maryland resident, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, in El Salvador “illicit” and asked: “Do you not see suffering? Isn’t your conscience disturbed? How can you remain silent?”
The federal government has recognized that Abrego Garcia was wrongly expelled and detained in a Salvadoral prison, but the White House did not return it to the United States, despite a Decision of the Supreme Court Which asked him to facilitate his return.
Prévost has shared declarations for years defending stronger support for migrants. Many of his posts align with the positions of the American Conference of Catholic Bishops and Francis, criticized The opinions of the Trump administration on immigration.
In 2018, he republished Criticism of Cardinal Blase Cupich with regard to the Trump administration family separation policy During Mr. Trump’s first term.
In 2017, he republished a Californian Catholic conference statement oppose the position of the administration on The delayed action for the arrivals of immigration politiciansOr DACA, which allows immigrants who came to the United States illegally as minors to live and work here.
In 2015, when Mr. Trump was still a republican principal candidate, he republished An article by Cardinal Timothy Dolan entitled “Why Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric is so problematic.”
Leo also posted on the control of firearms and abortion
Following the 2017 mass shot In Las Vegas who killed 58 people, Prevost republished A Cupich declaration calling for “increased access to mental health care and stronger and sensitive laws in the control of firearms”.
He too common A declaration by the Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut criticizing the political inaction on the security of firearms which was read in part: “Your cowardice to act cannot be whited by thoughts and prayers.”
He also shared statements criticizing abortion. After the 2016 American presidential election, he republished an article From the Catholic press agency, “Clinton has ignored the pro-life at its risk, say the Democrats.”
In December, he also shared a article of a Peruvian newspaper that criticized “gender ideology”. The Pope was bishop in Peru for several years and is Peruvian citizen.
According to the LGBTQ Glaad media defense group, “gender ideology is not a transgender term that people use to describe themselves, it is an inaccherual term deployed by opponents to undermine and dehumanize transgender and non -binary people”.
Pope Leo’s voting registers
According to the voting files Shared with CBS News and data from the Board of Elections of the Elections of the State of Illinois, Prevost is recorded to vote in the suburbs of Chicago in New Lenox, Illinois. He voted in at least nine general elections, especially in 2024, but we do not know for which party he had voted.
He also voted in republican and democratic primaries over the years. He voted in republican primaries in 2012, 2014 and 2016, including presidential primaries in 2012 and 2016. He last voted in a democratic primary in 2010. He also voted in the party’s presidential primary in 2008.
Pope’s opinions on social networks
In an interview in 2023 with Vatican NewsThe Pope was asked about the relationship between bishops and social media.
“Social media can be an important tool to communicate the gospel message reaching millions of people. We have to prepare to use social media,” he said. “I am afraid that sometimes this preparation is lacking.”
“At the same time, the world today, which is constantly changing, presents situations where we really have to think several times before speaking or before writing a message on Twitter, in order to answer or even just to ask questions in a public form, at the sight of everyone. Sometimes there is a risk of fueling divisions and controversy,” he continued.
“There is a great responsibility to properly use social networks, communication, because it is an opportunity, but it is also a risk. And that can damage the communion of the Church. This is why it is necessary to be very careful in the use of these means.”
contributed to this report.