Trump Congratulates New American Pope Leo XIV: ‘What A Great Honor For Our Country’

President Donald Trump extended his congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost on Thursday, just after he was declared as the first American Pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Trump expressed his excitement and pride for the country on Truth Social, emphasizing the significance of this historic event. Prevost, originally from Chicago, will take on the name Leo XIV and succeed the late Pope Francis.

Trump’s aspirations to become the new pope had caused a stir within the Catholic Church, drawing criticism for sharing an AI-generated image of himself in papal attire. The relationship between Trump and Pope Francis was complicated due to their differing views on issues such as immigration and climate change. While Francis was known for his progressive stance, Trump’s policies were often divisive.

Francis had criticized Trump’s approach, once stating, “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.” The two leaders had conflicting ideologies, with Trump’s lack of biblical knowledge contrasting Francis’ selflessness and peace-seeking nature.

The meeting between Trump and Pope Francis in 2017 was described as “awkward” by some reporters. It remains uncertain what interactions will unfold between Pope Leo XIV and the Trump administration. Reports suggest that an online account linked to the new pontiff shared an article condemning Vice President JD Vance.