'Surprise Choice': Trump Says He Would Like To Speak To First American Pope Leo XIV

Days after Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, was elected as the first American pontiff on May 8, US President Donald Trump has said that he would like to speak to the first pontiff from America.

The election of the 69-year-old pope, who now leads the global Church at a time of both internal reform and geopolitical tension, was marked by the traditional white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel, indicating the start of a new chapter in Church history. 

Trump said that the election of Pope Leo XIV was a surprise choice and that the selection of the new pontill from the US was a great honour.

The US President, during an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, said: "He was really a surprise choice. To have the pope from the United States of America, that’s a great honour."

Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert since 2019, welcomed the news on X, writing, “I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church.”

However, Pope Leo XIV’s remarks from the past have drawn attention. Before assuming papacy, he reportedly posted critiques of Trump and Vance, particularly over the issues of immigration and human rights.

In April, Pope Leo XIV reshared a post that raised concerns about former President Trump’s meeting with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. The message criticized the lack of attention to humanitarian issues, asking pointedly, “Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed?”

Earlier, the future pope had also circulated an article titled “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.” The piece challenged Vance’s approach to social and political priorities through a theological lens, arguing that Christian teachings emphasize universal compassion rather than selective concern. 

His older brother, John Prevost, told The New York Times that the new pope has strong views on immigration. “I know he’s not happy with what’s going on,” he said. “But he won’t just sit back. I don’t think he’ll be the silent one.”

As Pope Leo XIV begins his tenure, his past comments suggest he will not shy away from engaging with political and moral issues, both at home and abroad.

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