Months earlier than Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost grew to become the primary American pope, a social media account beneath his identify expressed criticism of Vice President JD Vance, sharing an article that known as the vice chairman’s interpretation of Christian doctrine “improper.”
The piece, published in The National Catholic Reporter, was a rebuttal to Mr. Vance’s interpretation of a Catholic educating that he had used to defend the Trump administration’s deportation insurance policies.
The put up on X, which the account shared in February, was one among a number of that highlighted articles criticizing the Trump administration’s positions on immigration.
In April, the account beneath Cardinal Prevost’s identify shared commentary from a Catholic author who requested whether or not President Trump and President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador noticed “the struggling” brought on by their immigration insurance policies.
“Is your acutely aware not disturbed?” a Catholic church analyst, Rocco Palmo, wrote. “How are you going to keep quiet?”
Whereas The New York Instances couldn’t independently affirm whether or not Cardinal Prevost ran the account — or if it was operated by a employees member — the account was related to a cellphone quantity and electronic mail tackle believed to be tied to him. Almost all of the posts, which date to 2011, shared articles, statements and feedback made by different church leaders — not by the cardinal himself.
In July 2015, the account reposted an article by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York that described Mr. Trump’s “anti-immigrant rhetoric” as “problematic.” Three years later, the account shared a put up from Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago, saying there was “nothing remotely Christian, American or morally defensible” in regards to the administration’s coverage of separating migrant youngsters from their dad and mom.
The account additionally appeared to take subject with the Trump administration’s repeal of the Deferred Motion for Childhood Arrivals program, referred to as DACA, which granted authorized standing to younger adults dropped at the nation as youngsters. The account reposted feedback from a number of church leaders attacking the choice as “heartless” and fueling “racism and nativism.”
The criticism of Mr. Trump largely echoes the positions of Pope Francis, who additionally expressed his disagreement with the administration’s deportation insurance policies.
At occasions, the account waded into different contentious areas of American politics. In 2020, it shared an announcement signed by seven American bishops that stated they have been “broken-hearted, sickened, and outraged” by the killing of George Floyd, which they described as a “wake-up name.”
In 2017, the account shared a put up from Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, criticizing fellow lawmakers for refusing to cross gun management laws after the Mandalay Bay mass capturing in Las Vegas. Mr. Murphy has since emerged as some of the vocal critics of the Trump administration.
And several other posts shared articles opposing abortion rights, together with one from the Catholic News Agency that featured self-identified “pro-life Democrats” criticizing Hillary Clinton for adopting an “excessive pro-abortion platform.”
Solely a small fraction of the posts referred to American politics. Many have been in Spanish and shared bulletins from the Peruvian Episcopal Convention, the U.S. Convention of Catholic Bishops and the Vatican. Others addressed issues of religion and Catholic doctrine or marked particular dates for the Order of Saint Augustine, a spiritual order of women and men who observe the teachings of the fourth-century saint, of which Cardinal Prevost is a member.
Some have been even lighter fare: One put up linked to an article by the Catholic Information Service itemizing the perfect Christmas films.
The primary posts have been shared in 2011 and gave the impression to be updates on the cardinal’s journey schedule.
“In Rome, Council conferences,” the account posted on Sept. 20, 2011.
Thus far, Mr. Trump doesn’t appear to be holding any grudges in opposition to the pope for any earlier criticism. In his own post on X, the president stated he appeared ahead to assembly the brand new pope.
Mr. Vance, a Catholic convert who met with Pope Francis shortly earlier than his demise, additionally despatched effectively needs on Thursday afternoon.
“Congratulations to Leo XIV, the primary American Pope, on his election!” he wrote on social media. “I’m positive thousands and thousands of American Catholics and different Christians will pray for his profitable work main the Church. Could God bless him!”
Not everybody in Mr. Trump’s orbit could also be fairly as happy.
Even earlier than the choice of the brand new pope, Steve Bannon, one of many president’s high allies, who has urged the church to undertake a extra conventional stance, described Cardinal Prevost as “one of many darkish horses” to change into the following pontiff.
“Sadly, he’s some of the progressive,” Mr. Bannon stated within the interview final week.
Kate Conger contributed reporting.
