White House responds to first American Pope Leo XIV’s past criticism of Donald Trump

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Friday, May 09, responded to First American Pope Leo XIV’s past criticism of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

The 27-year-old Leavitt was delivering her weekly press briefing in the White House's James S Brady Press Room when a journalist asked her about several anti-Trump tweets previously made by the newly elected pope.

The new pope was named the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church after achieving a two-thirds majority among cardinals in the secretive conclave on Thursday, May 08.

However, despite being registered as a republican, Pope Leo XIV made a slew of social media posts attacking President Trump’s policies and reposted opinions that are critical of his administration, according to Daily Mail.

Karoline Leavitt’s reply to Pope Leo XIV's past criticism of Donald Trump

During the weekly press briefing, a journalist asked Karoline Leavitt about the Chicago native-turned pope’s past criticism of Donald Trump. "Yesterday, we saw news of the new pope," the journalist said, adding, "Before Pope Leo became Pope Leo, there were some critical comments he made about President Trump and Vice President Vance on his X account. Does the White House have any comment on those?" 

The White House press secretary quickly replied, "The president made his reaction to Pope Leo's announcement yesterday very clear."

She then continued by adding that "He is very proud to have an American pope. I think it was a surprise to everyone. I saw the news media were surprised to report on that yesterday. But it's a great thing for the United States of America and the world, and we are praying for him."

On Friday, Trump also took to his Truth Social to congratulate Pope Leo as he became the first American-born Cardinal to take up the holy role.

“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!”

Pope Leo XIV’s past attacks on Donald Trump's administration

According to data from conservative nonprofits, the new pope has a "strong Republican" record and is adamantly pro-life, which is not out of the ordinary for the Catholic Church.

However, his registration does not imply that he supports President Donald Trump. As a Cardinal, Pope Leo previously voiced support for progressive causes and notably opposed the White House's immigration policies, according to Express UK.

In February, he made a post blasting Vance after the Vice President claimed it was a Christian belief "that you love your family and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens, and then after that, prioritize the rest of the world.”

Opposing Vance’s stance, the pope shared an article from a Catholic publication with the headline: "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others."

Ten days later, the new pontiff shared another piece from a Jesuit publication, with the heading: "Pope Francis' letter, JD Vance's 'ordo amoris' and what the Gospel asks of all of us on immigration."