VATICAN – Pope Leo the 14th is the first American to lead the Catholic Church, and many now are curious about his stance on major social and political issues.
His positions reflect a blend of traditional Catholic teachings and calls for action on global challenges.
Trump Administration Immigration Policies
Pope Leo has been vocal in his criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, aligning with the stance of his predecessor Pope Francis.
His views were reportedly reflected in an X account under the name of Robert Prevost, while there has been no official confirmation from the Vatican on whether the account is associated with newly elected Pope Leo the 14th.
The account shared an article that called US Vice President JD Vance’s interpretation of Christian doctrine “wrong.” The piece, published in The National Catholic Reporter, challenged Vance’s use of Catholic teachings to justify the Trump-era deportation policies.
In February, the account also posted an article, titled JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others, signaling Leo’s commitment to migrant rights.
Pope Leo’s brother, John Prevost, told ABC News that immigration is a significant concern for the pontiff.
“I think because the way our country is going, I don’t think he necessarily will always agree (with) what’s happening. I think a big thing for him is immigration and is it right — what’s going on? I think that will be a challenge for him, because I think he’ll say something about it, too.”
When asked about his brother’s X account, John Prevost added: “I know that’s his feelings, but I didn’t know he was putting it out on social media.”
Sexual Abuse of Minors in the Catholic Church
As sexual abuse scandals shake the Catholic Church, Pope Leo the 14th has previously been accused of mishandling abuse allegations against priests in some cases.
Three Peruvian women had accused the Diocese of Chiclayo, which Leo once led, of covering up for a priest who, they say, abused them as children, according to Forbes. The diocese denied that Pope Leo the 14th was involved in any wrongdoing.
In another case, while leading the Augustinian Province of Chicago in 2000, a priest who had abused minors was allowed to stay at a monastery near a Catholic elementary school. The Vatican said Leo the 14th was not responsible for that decision.
Regarding this issue in 2023, Leo called for focusing on the victims.
“I am talking about the urgency and responsibility of accompanying victims,” he said.
Matters on LGBTQ Rights
According to the Catholic Church, homosexuality is a sin and it does not allow same-sex marriages. It appears that Pope Leo the 14th holds traditional Catholic views on LGBTQ+ matters.
In a 2012 address, he criticized Western media and popular culture for promoting “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel,” according to the Arlington Catholic Herald.
“Note, for example, how alternative families comprised of homosexual partners and their adopted children are so benignly and sympathetically portrayed on television programs and in cinema,” he said.
World Climate Change Issues
In past statements, then-Cardinal Prevost emphasized the need to move “from words to action” in addressing the climate crisis, proposing practical measures such as installing solar panels at the Vatican and adopting electric vehicles, according to Vatican News.
“Dominion over nature” should not become “tyrannical,” he also said.
Ordination of Women in the Catholic Church
While supporting expanded roles for women, Pope Leo the 14th remains opposed to their ordination as priests.
During a 2023 Vatican news conference, he acknowledged the importance of women’s contributions but questioned whether ordination would address issues of representation or equality, according to the Catholic News Agency.
“Something that needs to be said also is that ordaining women — and there’s been some women that have said this interestingly enough — ‘clericalizing women’ doesn’t necessarily solve a problem, it might make a new problem,” he said.
“I think there will be a continuing recognition of the fact that women can add a great deal to the life of the Church on many different levels,” he added.
