Before his election as the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV (formerly Robert Prevost) publicly criticized Donald Trump and JD Vance on social media, drawing backlash from conservative MAGA supporters. While Trump welcomed the historic appointment, his base reacted with anger, labeling the new pope as anti-Trump and pro-open borders. Despite their shared anti-abortion stance, Leo's support for climate action, racial justice, and immigrant rights aligns more with Pope Francis's legacy, often at odds with Trump-era policies. The posts, some dating back years, have reignited political divides even as many Catholics pray for the new pontiff’s success.