Months earlier than Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost turned the primary American pope, a social media account below his identify expressed criticism of Vice President JD Vance, sharing an article that known as the vp’s interpretation of Christian doctrine “fallacious.”
The piece, published in the National Catholic Reporter, was a rebuttal to Mr. Vance’s interpretation of a Catholic instructing 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 certainly one of a number of that highlighted articles criticizing the Trump administration’s positions on immigration.
In April, the account apparently belonging to Cardinal Prevost 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?” the author, Rocco Palmo, wrote. “How will you keep quiet?”
In July 2015, Cardinal Prevost’s 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” concerning the administration’s coverage of separating migrant kids from their dad and mom.
The criticism of Mr. Trump largely echoes the positions of Pope Francis, who additionally expressed his disagreement with the administration’s deportation insurance policies. Whereas Cardinal Prevost seemed to be comparatively lively on X, the account largely eschewed expression of his personal opinions and as an alternative reposted feedback made by church leaders and articles from Catholic information retailers.
At occasions, Cardinal Prevost’s account waded into different contentious areas of American politics. In 2020, it shared a press release 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.”
To this point, Mr. Trump doesn’t appear to be holding any grudges in opposition to the pope for 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 properly needs on Thursday afternoon.
“Congratulations to Leo XIV, the primary American Pope, on his election!” he wrote on social media. “I’m certain thousands and thousands of American Catholics and different Christians will pray for his profitable work main the Church. Could God bless him!”
Kate Conger contributed reporting.
