American Pope Leo appears to take a swipe at Donald Trump during first speech as pontiff

VATICAN CITY: Looks like the new pope isn't a big fan of Donald Trump. 

Just hours after being named the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church, newly-elected Pope Leo XIV gave his first public speech Thursday, May 8 — and many saw it as a subtle jab at the US President.

Pope Leo XIV appears to take aim at Donald Trump

American-born Cardinal Robert Prevost—now Pope Leo XIV—echoed his late predecessor Pope Francis, who was famously critical of Donald Trump, especially on immigration.

“We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, [and is] always open to receive—like this square, with open arms—everyone, all those who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love,” the new pontiff declared from the Vatican.

It’s the kind of message Pope Francis would’ve cheered — he often clapped back at Trump’s “Build the Wall” slogan with his signature phrase, “Build bridges, not walls.” That’s a line Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re made sure to highlight while delivering Francis’ final homily: “Build bridges, not walls, was an exhortation he repeated many times."

A salute to Pope Francis and a prayer for peace

Pope Leo XIV, a native Chicagoan, also used the opportunity to honor the man who came before him. Speaking to thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square, he paid tribute to Pope Francis — the first Latin American pontiff and a former migrant himself, the Daily Beast reported.

“Help us too, then, each other, to build bridges... uniting all of us to be one people, always in peace,” Leo XIV said, adding, “Thank you to Pope Francis.” 

Then, switching to Spanish, he urged the Church “to be close, especially to those who suffer" and to embrace peace, love, and charity.

The crowd was quiet, reverent, hanging on every word as the pontiff extended his blessings far beyond Rome. “I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families, to all people, wherever they may be, to all nations, to the whole earth,” he said, before reminding everyone that God “loves us all, unconditionally.”

His parting message from the grand balcony of St Peter’s Basilica was: “Peace be with you all.” 

MAGA unhappy as Donald Trump congratulates new pope

Donald Trump took to Truth Social to tip his hat to the new Holy Father.

“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope,” he wrote. “It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

It's worth noting that Trump recently joked that he should be the pope.

But some in the MAGA world weren't so happy with the new pontiff. Right-wing firebrand Laura Loomer took to X (formerly Twitter) to rant that Pope Leo XIV “is anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open Borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis.”

Meanwhile, Cardinal Prevost has made no secret of his political leanings. He’s publicly criticized the Trump administration before — even aiming Vice President JD Vance earlier this year.

Pope Francis’ final words

Before Pope Leo XIV stepped into the spotlight, all eyes had been on late Pope Francis, the progressive pontiff known for shaking things up. In his last days, he dictated his final words to Archbishop Diego Ravelli in a frail voice.

“What a great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day in the many conflicts raging in different parts of our world!” Ravelli read. “How much violence we see, often even within families, directed at women and children! How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants!”

Francis urged the world to “revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas. For all of us are children of God."