Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost becomes the first pope born in the U.S., sparking mixed reactions from conservatives due to his critical social media posts about Trump and Vance. Meanwhile, New Jersey GOP candidates clash over Trump’s influence as they head into the primary. Trump himself is also stirring the political pot with various maneuverings in his broader agenda, signaling a tense political landscape.
The intersection of the Vatican and U.S. politics is getting a fresh spotlight as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost makes history as the first-ever pope born in the U.S. The reactions were swift when he ascended to this lofty role, particularly from the right wing, drawing attention to his online remarks that have sometimes seemed critical of figures like Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Shortly after being announced as Pope Leo XIV, Prevost’s past social media posts were scrutinized. He previously advocated for empathy towards immigrants and seemed not too pleased with broader immigration rhetoric coming from prominent GOP figures. In fact, in a mid-April post, Prevost linked to a Catholic commentator who harshly criticized Trump and Bukele, calling for a conscience check when it comes to deportation narratives.
Things escalated earlier this year when the soon-to-be pontiff shared a headline criticizing Vance, ostensibly pushing back against the vice president’s statements on prioritizing love for those closest to us. This seems to position him at odds with the current administration’s more nationalistic tendencies that some consider faint echoes of Christian values.
Responses from Trump and Vance have been somewhat muted but perfunctory. Vance congratulated the new pope, insisting that many American Christians will pray for his guidance. Trump, always a bit more theatrical with words, expressed his excitement, hinting at a future meeting that he’s framing as significant, though not revealing his true feelings about the new pope’s potential agenda.
On the flip side, conservative commentators have been less kind. Laura Loomer went on a social media tirade, labeling him a “Marxist puppet” and asserting he was against Trump and MAGA ideals. Charlie Kirk struck a more neutral note but wasn’t entirely welcoming, suggesting that the pope’s view on immigration might not align with key conservative priorities.
Meanwhile, the political scene in New Jersey is in a heated frenzy. Three leading Republican candidates for governor squared off in a debate, each jostling for position under Trump’s looming shadow as the primary approaches next month. With Trump’s endorsement still hanging in the balance, the race remains tight—as evidenced by the squabbles between front-runners Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea.
During the debate, it bubbled to the surface how Trump’s agenda echoes through many talking points, especially regarding immigration. Spadea and Ciattarelli tussled over who had been a stronger supporter of Trump, sparking accusations and a lot of finger-pointing in a last-minute spat. The atmosphere was charged, like an echoing schoolyard brawl.
Also, in the broader Trump arena, he appears to be stirring the pot on many fronts—from urging tax increases on the wealthiest to exploring trade deals with the UK. Moreover, the tug-of-war over immigration policy continues as the administration seeks to roll back legal statuses for a significant number of immigrants. With everything else happening, it’s a big day in the political realm, though not all news feels rosy on either side.
So that’s the latest from the Politics Desk. From the number-crunching of elections to the prickly dynamics between religious figures and political leaders, it’s getting quite the attention these days. Let’s see how everything unravels, right? Keep your inbox tuned for more updates tomorrow.
Original Source: www.nbcnews.com
