Donald Trump Reacts to Pope Leo XIV’s Appointment — Says He Looks Forward to Meeting Him
In a statement released earlier today, former U.S. President Donald Trump reacted to the historic appointment of Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected head of the Roman Catholic Church. The 88-year-old pontiff, formerly Cardinal Francesco Montini of Italy, was elected after a surprisingly swift conclave following the resignation of Pope Francis due to declining health. Trump, known for his often polarizing yet headline-grabbing comments, offered congratulations to the new pope while making it clear he anticipates a future meeting.
“Congratulations to Pope Leo the 14th — a truly important moment for the Church and the world,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “A strong and beautiful tradition continues. I’ve heard wonderful things about him. People are saying he’s going to be a terrific leader — maybe the best ever, who knows?”
The post quickly attracted attention, not only for Trump’s characteristic tone but also because he is among the first major American political figures to publicly comment on the new pontiff. Trump’s statement included praise for the Church’s long-standing traditions and emphasized his appreciation for the Catholic community, noting, “We’ve always had incredible support from Catholics — great people, very strong values.”
Pope Leo XIV’s election has already been hailed as a shift toward doctrinal conservatism, and Trump seemed to recognize this. “It sounds like he shares a lot of common sense ideas — traditional values, strong borders, strong families — we love that,” Trump added. “I look forward to meeting him. I think we’ll get along very well.”
Sources close to Trump suggest that he is already in discussions with international contacts about arranging a private audience with the pope in the coming months. If such a meeting were to occur, it would be Trump’s first formal engagement with a sitting pope since his 2017 visit with Pope Francis while still in office. That meeting, though cordial, was marked by ideological differences on issues such as climate change and immigration.
It remains to be seen how Trump’s populist messaging and Pope Leo XIV’s theological vision will align, but observers note that both figures speak strongly to their respective bases and emphasize a return to foundational principles—whether religious or national.
The Vatican has not yet responded directly to Trump’s statement, though a brief remark from a spokesperson confirmed that the Holy See “welcomes warm wishes and prayers from leaders around the world.” Pope Leo XIV himself is expected to address the global community in his inaugural Angelus message this Sunday, which may provide a clearer picture of his approach to global politics and diplomacy.
While it’s still early in Leo XIV’s papacy, Trump’s swift outreach suggests he sees opportunity—not only to align with a potentially like-minded religious figure but also to engage with millions of Catholic voters in the U.S. as the 2024 campaign season heats up.
As always, when Trump speaks, the world watches—and with the Vatican now under new leadership, the possibility of a political-religious dynamic between the former president and the new pope may be just beginning.
Donald Trump Reacts to Pope Leo XIV’s Appointment — Says He Looks Forward to Meeting Him
In a statement released earlier today, former U.S. President Donald Trump reacted to the historic appointment of Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected head of the Roman Catholic Church. The 88-year-old pontiff, formerly Cardinal Francesco Montini of Italy, was elected after a surprisingly swift conclave following the resignation of Pope Francis due to declining health. Trump, known for his often polarizing yet headline-grabbing comments, offered congratulations to the new pope while making it clear he anticipates a future meeting.
“Congratulations to Pope Leo the 14th — a truly important moment for the Church and the world,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “A strong and beautiful tradition continues. I’ve heard wonderful things about him. People are saying he’s going to be a terrific leader — maybe the best ever, who knows?”
The post quickly attracted attention, not only for Trump’s characteristic tone but also because he is among the first major American political figures to publicly comment on the new pontiff. Trump’s statement included praise for the Church’s long-standing traditions and emphasized his appreciation for the Catholic community, noting, “We’ve always had incredible support from Catholics — great people, very strong values.”
Pope Leo XIV’s election has already been hailed as a shift toward doctrinal conservatism, and Trump seemed to recognize this. “It sounds like he shares a lot of common sense ideas — traditional values, strong borders, strong families — we love that,” Trump added. “I look forward to meeting him. I think we’ll get along very well.”
Sources close to Trump suggest that he is already in discussions with international contacts about arranging a private audience with the pope in the coming months. If such a meeting were to occur, it would be Trump’s first formal engagement with a sitting pope since his 2017 visit with Pope Francis while still in office. That meeting, though cordial, was marked by ideological differences on issues such as climate change and immigration.
It remains to be seen how Trump’s populist messaging and Pope Leo XIV’s theological vision will align, but observers note that both figures speak strongly to their respective bases and emphasize a return to foundational principles—whether religious or national.
The Vatican has not yet responded directly to Trump’s statement, though a brief remark from a spokesperson confirmed that the Holy See “welcomes warm wishes and prayers from leaders around the world.” Pope Leo XIV himself is expected to address the global community in his inaugural Angelus message this Sunday, which may provide a clearer picture of his approach to global politics and diplomacy.
While it’s still early in Leo XIV’s papacy, Trump’s swift outreach suggests he sees opportunity—not only to align with a potentially like-minded religious figure but also to engage with millions of Catholic voters in the U.S. as the 2024 campaign season heats up.
As always, when Trump speaks, the world watches—and with the Vatican now under new leadership, the possibility of a political-religious dynamic between the former president and the new pope may be just beginning.
