If you’ve been following the whirlwind of 2025 and 2026, you know the Vatican looks a lot different than it did just a year ago. Pope Francis, the "pontiff of the poor" who wasn't exactly known for being best friends with Donald Trump, passed away in April 2025. His death, right in the middle of a Jubilee Year, sent the Catholic world into a bit of a spin.
Enter Pope Leo XIV.
He was elected in May 2025, and ever since his white smoke went up, everyone has been asking the same thing: Is this new guy going to get along with the Trump administration? Some people saw his Chicago roots—he was born Robert Francis Prevost—and assumed he’d bring a more "American" or perhaps conservative vibe to the papacy. But if you're looking for a simple "yes" or "no" on whether the new pope is pro Trump, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s way more complicated than a campaign slogan.
The Chicago Connection: Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Honestly, Leo XIV is a fascinator. He’s the first American pope, which is huge. Before he was the Holy Father, he was a Cardinal from Chicago who spent years in Peru. He’s got this mix of Midwest pragmatism and South American focus on the marginalized.
Basically, he’s not a political creature in the way we think of DC insiders. He’s an Augustinian friar. His background in canon law and his time running the Dicastery for Bishops under Francis means he knows how the gears of the Church turn.
Many conservatives in the U.S. hoped that an American pope would naturally align with the "Make America Great Again" movement or at least be more sympathetic to Republican priorities. They pointed to his focus on order and his deep respect for tradition. But then you look at his first year in office. He hasn't exactly been handing out red hats to the MAGA faithful.
Why "Pro Trump" is the Wrong Way to Put It
The Vatican doesn't do "pro" or "anti" in the way cable news does. It’s about doctrine.
Take the recent meeting in January 2026 between Archbishop Paul Coakley and President Trump at the White House. That was a big deal. It was the first time in nearly a decade that the head of the U.S. bishops sat down with a sitting president. It signaled a "cautious recalibration," as some Vatican watchers put it.
But here’s the rub:
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- Immigration: This is the massive elephant in the room. Pope Leo XIV, like Francis before him, has been pretty blunt. He’s called mass deportation plans a "moral crisis." He’s literally walked the talk, sending aid to border regions and talking about the dignity of the migrant. On this, he is 100% not on the same page as Trump.
- Social Issues: This is where the "pro" crowd gets their fuel. The Trump administration’s stance on abortion and judicial appointments aligns much more closely with Catholic teaching than the previous administration. When the administration pushes for things like the Hyde Amendment, the Vatican is quietly (or loudly) cheering.
- Foreign Policy: It’s a mixed bag. Leo XIV has expressed "grave concern" over some of Trump's moves, like the rhetoric surrounding Venezuela and the approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Pope wants peace and dialogue; the President often wants leverage and deals.
The Venezuela "Rebuke" and the Media Spin
You might have seen the headlines earlier this month. Some outlets, like The Daily Beast, framed Pope Leo’s comments on Venezuela as a "sharp rebuke" of Trump.
Is it true? Well, sort of.
Leo XIV warned against military intervention and spoke about the "suffering of the people." He didn't mention Trump by name. He never does. That’s the Vatican way. But everyone knew who he was talking to. On the other hand, conservative Catholic media argued that the Pope was just being a "teacher and a healer," not a politician.
The reality is that Leo XIV is trying to hold a middle ground that might not exist anymore. He isn't "pro Trump" or "anti Trump." He’s pro-Church. When Trump does something that aligns with Catholic social teaching, they’re buddies. When he doesn't, the Pope becomes the most powerful critic on the planet.
What’s Actually Happening Behind the Scenes?
If you want to know what the relationship is really like, look at Archbishop Paul Coakley. He’s the bridge.
His election as president of the USCCB in November 2025 was a signal. He’s a guy who can talk to both the Vatican and the White House without starting a fire. The January 12 meeting at the White House—which included J.D. Vance, by the way—was focused on "areas of mutual concern."
They’re trying to find a way to work together on things like religious liberty and education while agreeing to disagree (very loudly) on immigration and climate change. Remember, Trump pulled out of the Paris Agreement again in 2025. Leo XIV, who helped Francis with Laudato si’, isn't exactly thrilled about that.
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Where they align:
- Religious Freedom: Both want to protect the right of religious institutions to operate according to their faith.
- Pro-Life Legislation: A shared goal of reducing or ending abortion.
- Appointing Conservative Judges: While the Pope doesn't care about the U.S. courts specifically, he likes the results.
Where they clash:
- Deportations: The Church sees this as a violation of human dignity.
- Climate Change: The Vatican views it as a moral obligation to the "common home."
- Foreign Aid: The Trump administration’s cuts to agencies like USAID affect Catholic charities worldwide.
The "America First" vs. "Universal Church" Conflict
There’s a weird tension here. Leo XIV is an American. He gets the culture. He knows what a Chicago winter feels like and he probably understands the grievances of the American working class better than any pope in history.
But he’s also the head of a Universal Church.
When he looks at the world, he isn't just looking at the Rust Belt. He’s looking at the slums in Lima, the war zones in Africa, and the migrants in Europe. Trump’s "America First" policy is, by definition, the opposite of the Vatican’s "Universal Brotherhood" (or Fratelli tutti) approach.
So, is the new pope pro Trump? Honestly, no. But he isn't the "anti-Trump" activist that some hoped he would be either. He’s a pragmatist. He’s willing to sit at the table, but he’s bringing his own menu.
Actionable Insights for Following Vatican Politics
If you’re trying to cut through the noise of the 2026 news cycle, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Watch the Bishops, Not Just the Pope: The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) often acts as the "boots on the ground" for Vatican policy in the States. If Archbishop Coakley starts getting invited to the White House more often, it means the relationship is warming up.
- Listen for the Word "Dignity": When the Pope uses this word, he’s usually talking about immigration or poverty. If he uses it in a speech after a White House announcement, it’s a subtle signal of disapproval.
- Don't Expect an Endorsement: The Pope will never endorse a candidate or a president. If you see a headline saying he did, it’s 100% clickbait.
- Look at the Appointments: Keep an eye on who Leo XIV appoints as cardinals in the U.S. If he chooses more "culture war" bishops, he’s leaning toward the Trump-aligned wing. If he chooses more "social justice" bishops, he’s sticking to the Francis line.
The bottom line is that Pope Leo XIV is carving out his own path. He isn't a sequel to Francis, and he isn't a chaplain for the GOP. He’s the first American pope, navigating a fractured world with a very loud neighbor in Washington. It’s going to be a long four years.
To stay truly informed on this developing relationship, you should monitor the official Vatican News releases and the USCCB’s "Justice for Immigrants" updates, as these are the primary channels where the Church will formalize its stance on specific Trump administration policies.