The newly appointed leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, has a record of openly opposing the immigration policies of the Trump administration. Recently, he chastised Vice President J.D. Vance on social media, asserting that Vance’s views on Christian teachings were incorrect.
While Cardinal Robert Prevost, the pope criticized Vance’s interview on Fox News, where Vance used the medieval Catholic principle “ordo amoris,” or “order of love,” to justify strict immigration measures.
“JD Vance is wrong,” he stated. “Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
At 69, the Chicago, Illinois-born pope used his social media account to share a National Catholic Reporter article analyzing the impact of Vance’s comments. The account has drawn attention as analysts look for insights into the first American pope’s political stance.
In January, Vance claimed that “ordo amoris” supported the administration’s immigration policies, suggesting that Christian teachings prioritize love for family, then neighbors, and community, before focusing on broader global concerns.
Pope Francis, who preceded Pope Leo XIV, had already countered Vance’s interpretation in a public letter to U.S. bishops, correcting Vance’s understanding and addressing President Trump’s deportation policies.
Pope Leo XIV echoed his predecessor’s stance by sharing this critique online. Following his initial post about Vance, he further discussed the vice president’s interpretation of “ordo amoris,” a concept rooted in the teachings of St. Augustine, connected to the pope’s Augustinian order.
On February 13, Pope Leo XIV posted an article from America, The Jesuit Review, with the caption: “Pope Francis’ letter, J.D. Vance’s ‘ordo amoris’ and what the Gospel asks of all of us on immigration.” The article examined Pope Francis’ letter to U.S. bishops rejecting Trump’s deportation efforts and directly addressed Vance’s interpretation of Catholic theology.
It is unprecedented that a pope had a personal social media history prior to becoming the pontiff. While Pope Francis had an official account managed by Vatican staff, the former Cardinal Prevost’s account sometimes delved into political issues.
Besides his criticism of Vance, Pope Leo XIV recently shared a post from a Catholic commentator criticizing President Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele over the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident wrongfully deported and now central to a legal dispute between Trump and the courts.
The pope’s opposition to Trump’s immigration stance dates back nearly a decade. In 2015, he shared an article by Cardinal Timothy Dolan criticizing Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. Although Dolan did not name Trump, he emphasized the Bible’s teachings on welcoming strangers. The tweet posted by Prevost did specifically mention Trump.
Pope Leo XIV also addressed social justice issues on social media, such as racism and the death penalty. He commented on George Floyd’s death in 2020 and retweeted Sister Helen Prejean’s support for DACA recipients in 2017.
Pope Leo XIV’s social media presence indicates a focus on social justice issues, often conflicting with the Trump administration’s policies. His political commentary provides insight into his papal approach to contemporary issues.
Despite their differences, Vice President Vance publicly congratulated the pope on his election, stating that many American Catholics and Christians would pray for his leadership. “May God bless him!” Vance wrote on X.
President Trump also congratulated the new pope, stating on Truth Social: “It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
However, supporters of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign criticized the pope’s past statements. Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist, commented on several posts, labeling him as “anti-MAGA and WOKE” and referring to him as an “Open Borders Pope.”
In his inaugural press conference, Pope Leo XIV stressed the importance of compassionate and respectful communication, indirectly referencing political rhetoric.
Pope Leo XIV met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance at the Vatican on Monday, May 19, 2025. During this meeting, Vice President Vance delivered a formal invitation from President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, inviting the pontiff to visit the White House. The meeting also included U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and their respective spouses. In addition to the invitation, Vance presented Pope Leo XIV with a personalized Chicago Bears jersey, acknowledging the pope’s Chicago roots. The Vatican described the discussions as cordial, focusing on international issues and emphasizing the importance of humanitarian and international law in conflict zones.