The Catholic Church made history this week when it elected its first-ever American pope.
But Vice President JD Vance probably isn’t celebrating.
Democrats are already using Pope Leo XIV’s past comments on immigration to challenge the Trump administration.
Democrats seize on new Pope’s past immigration comments
In a stunning turn of events, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago was elected pope on Thursday, May 8, taking the name Pope Leo XIV and becoming the first American-born pontiff in Catholic Church history.
The 70-year-old Chicago native’s elevation to the papacy sent shockwaves through Washington, D.C., with lawmakers from both parties reacting to the momentous occasion.
But it was a social media post made by Prevost before his papal election that appeared to criticize Vice President JD Vance’s immigration stance that has Democrats celebrating and Republicans scrambling.
Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) pointed to a social media post Pope Leo made before his election in which he appeared to criticize Vice President Vance’s justification for stricter immigration policies.
“Hopefully, the new pope can use his pastoral powers in order to help JD Vance and Donald Trump understand their responsibilities representing the most powerful and wealthiest nation in the world,” Markey told Fox News.
The Massachusetts Democrat didn’t hide his enthusiasm about having a pope who might challenge the Trump administration’s policies, adding that Leo “will continue the legacy of Pope Francis” and “channels that history of the Catholic Church, standing up for those who are most in need against those who are most powerful.”
Senators react to historic selection
The election of an American pope caught many lawmakers completely off guard.
Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) expressed utter disbelief at the selection, telling Fox News, “If you told me ahead of time, I said, ‘No way. Never happen.’ This is phenomenal.”
Hoeven admitted he never thought it possible, saying, “I’ve been telling folks they’ll never pick an American cardinal to be the pope. And I thought, you know, maybe somewhere else, but probably back to Europe. So, this is so exciting. I can’t believe it.”
Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a self-proclaimed Catholic, couldn’t contain his excitement.
“As an American Catholic, I am incredibly excited,” Kelly told reporters before adding a sports reference to his home state, quipping that “as an Arizonan, this is probably the best pick the Cardinals have made since Larry Fitzgerald.”
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) shared her home state pride, noting that Illinois residents were “very proud” and expressing hope that Leo “brings some of his hometown to the Vatican with him.”
Pope Leo XIV breaks with predecessor
Despite Senator Markey’s claim that the new pope will follow in his predecessor’s footsteps, Pope Leo XIV has already distinguished himself from Pope Francis in several key ways.
Leo chose a more traditional papal name and appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica wearing the traditional red cape that Francis had abandoned.
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, the new pope studied at Villanova University, was ordained a priest in 1982, and was named a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023. He is a member of the Augustinians, a religious order within the Catholic Church.
In his first appearance as pope, Leo addressed the crowd in St. Peter’s Square with the words “Peace be with you” in Italian, followed by a message about building bridges, peace, and dialogue “without fear.”
While the White House has yet to issue an official response to the pope’s apparent criticism of the administration’s immigration policies, political observers are watching closely to see if the historic selection of an American pope will influence the ongoing immigration debate in Washington.
The Trump administration has made border security a cornerstone of its agenda, but now faces potential criticism from the first American spiritual leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics.
