Pope Leo XIV Issues Peace Message, Contrasts Trump Policies in Vatican Address

Following the appointment of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, debates have emerged over the role of former President Donald Trump in this historic event. ABC News correspondent Martha Raddatz and others have suggested that Trump's influence was minimal, attributing the appointment primarily to Cardinal Robert Prevost, which Trump publicly disputed, accusing ABC of bias. The new pope, a Chicago native, is seen by some media figures as a potential counterbalance to Trump's policies, especially on immigration, contrasting with the critical stance Pope Francis took towards the former president. Trump supporters express hope that Pope Leo XIV will reconcile Catholic teachings with Trump's immigration agenda, highlighting tensions between religious messages and political policies. Trump’s social media reactions to the media coverage have been met with criticism from various online users. Meanwhile, some analyses note the complex relationship between faith, politics, and media portrayal surrounding both Trump and the new pope.