Laura Loomer expressed her dismay, stating the new pope is “anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open Borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis,” and found it “GROSS” that he now heads the Catholic Church.
Right-wing media personalities and MAGA supporters quickly voiced their outrage following the election of Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, particularly after his past public criticisms of Vice President JD Vance and his expressions of sympathy for immigrants and George Floyd came to light.
Despite a sense of national pride that the Chicago-born Prevost is the first American pope, conservative commentators and Trump allies expressed their anger over the “WOKE MARXIST POPE,” asserting he is “worse than Francis,” a nod to the previous pope known for his progressive stances.
Even prior to the American cardinal, considered a “dark horse,” being elected as the 267th pope, former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon had cautioned about Prevost’s viewpoints, suggesting he would be an unfavorable selection for the MAGA movement.
“One of the dark horses — and regrettably one of the most progressive — I believe, is Cardinal Prevost… he’s definitely on the shortlist,” Bannon remarked to Piers Morgan the previous week, discussing the possibility of the first American pope.
After white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signaling the conclave’s choice of a new pontiff to succeed the late Pope Francis, Newsmax anchor Rob Schmitt cautioned that this “Pope better not be woke.” However, within an hour of Schmitt’s preemptive comment, a significant portion of the MAGA sphere was horrified by the selection of Leo XIV.
Subsequent to the announcement of Prevost as the new Holy Father, numerous tweets from him criticizing Vance and the Trump administration’s immigration policies, along with messages conveying sorrow over the killing of George Floyd, started circulating widely on social media.
“JD Vance is mistaken: Jesus does not instruct us to prioritize our love for others,” Prevost had tweeted earlier in the year, alluding to the vice president’s remarks about Christians needing to “prioritize” their affection. Unsurprisingly, several prominent conservative figures swiftly seized upon the new pope’s social media activity.
“Catholics, I’m sorry. This new Pope is a globalist who supports open borders. He’ll soon be advocating for abortion. This isn’t speculation. You can look at his X account and see his activities,” complained alt-right conspiracy theorist Mike Cernovich on X (formerly Twitter), sharing screenshots of the pontiff retweeting posts concerning gun control and deportations to El Salvador.
Pro-Trump social media figure Joey Mannarino grumbled that “the new Pope recently criticized JD Vance, expressed solidarity with Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, and urged Trump to open the borders as Biden had them,” concluding, “this individual is worse than Francis.” In another tweet, he escalated his criticism, labeling him a “liberal piece of s***” and declaring, “we’re f***ed.” Mannarino’s estranged wife, Ada Lluch, who attributes her marriage to Trump, lamented that the “new pope is afflicted by the woke mind virus.”
“If you’re curious why an American was chosen as Pope for the first time ever,” MAGA influencer Vince Langman posted, alongside a 2015 tweet from Prevost criticizing Trump’s anti-immigrant statements, “It’s because he’s a WOKE Never Trumper liberal. That’s the reason!”
Laura Loomer, a self-described “proud Islamophobe” and far-right extremist who reportedly has gained the president’s attention recently, spent a significant part of Thursday afternoon expressing her fury on social media regarding the newly elected pontiff’s positions on immigration and social justice.
“The new Pope once shared a post about the need to continue praying for career criminal & drug addict George Floyd,” she fumed. “The tweet stated, ‘May all hatred, violence and prejudice be eradicated.’ What prejudice? Is that a euphemism for FENTANYL OVERDOSE? MARXIST POPE!”
In subsequent tweets, Loomer bemoaned the “WOKE MARXIST POPE,” asserting he “is anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open Borders, and a complete Marxist like Pope Francis,” and declared it “GROSS” that he now leads the Vatican.
As other right-wing activists and media figures lamented on social media that “they deliberately chose a globalist and woke Pope from the West” to critique the president, the anti-pope sentiment started to appear in MAGA broadcasts.
“Mr. Prevost, the new pope, was sharing George Floyd propaganda,” Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk remarked dismissively during his podcast. “But it is what it is. Whatever.”
Meanwhile, Pizzagate conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec appeared visibly angered by the tweets concerning Vance and immigrants before attempting to apply on-air pressure on Pope Leo XIV to publicly endorse Trump.
“We must see immediately, right from the start, whether Pope Leo intends to collaborate with President Trump or — as evident from his Twitter activity — to work against him,” he stated during his Real America’s Voice program.
“As a figure representing Catholics globally, he might realize that Catholics were instrumental in securing the White House for President Trump,” he finished. “And maybe, just maybe, the new pope will pay attention.”
Trump, who was likely unaware of the new pope’s past criticisms of him and his immigration policies, extended his congratulations to Leo XIV upon his appointment as the head of the Catholic Church.
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has just been named Pope,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “It is such an honor to recognize that he is the first American Pope. What thrilling news, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I anticipate meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a profoundly meaningful occasion!”