Pope Leo also shared a post in 2018 that read: \u201cThere is nothing remotely Christian, American, or morally defensible about a policy that takes children away from their parents and warehouses them in cages. This is being carried out in our name and the shame is on us all.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nA 2018 letter from Peru\u2019s Catholic leaders thanking the Trump administration for \u201cstopping the separation of migrant children from their parents\u201d<\/strong> was among the messages he published that clearly opposed Trump\u2019s immigration measures.<\/p>\n\n
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<\/span>The letter cited Peru\u2019s experience dealing with massive migration from Venezuela and said, \u201cIn our Latin American region and specifically Peru, we have experience dealing with migration.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cThousands of Venezuelans come through our border as they flee the harsh political and economic reality their country is going through. We here in Peru and in neighboring countries have welcomed them to help them overcome, through our means, their issues.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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<\/span>Given that Pope Leo lived in Latin America for the majority of his career and even obtained Peruvian citizenship, his views on immigration should not be surprising.<\/p>\n
He spoke in both Italian and Spanish on Thursday as he made his first public appearance as Pope.<\/p>\n
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\u2018Leon, Leon\u2019 chants swept over the crowd, which still seemed stunned, with several mouthing \u2018An American?\u2019<\/p>\n
Cardinal Prevost, the first American-born pope, has just come to light as a potential candidate.<\/p>\n
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Known as Father Bob, the tennis-loving cardinal is regarded as the \u201cleast American of the Americans\u201d <\/strong>and a quiet reformer who would continue Pope Francis\u2019s work.<\/p>\nNevertheless, President Trump and JD Vance were quick to congratulate him on his election, regardless of the Pope\u2019s position.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>\u201cCongratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nVice President Vance added: \u201cCongratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election! I\u2019m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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Given the United States\u2019 existing geopolitical dominance in the secular realm, it has long been forbidden to elect an American pope; therefore, Provost\u2019s election as pope startled the globe.<\/p>\n
However, Prevost is also a citizen of Peru and spent years there, first serving as a missionary and later as an archbishop.<\/p>\n
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Despite his silence on issues like same-sex partnerships and female clergy, he was a favourite among the Latin American and North American cardinals.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Prevost was twice elected prior general, or top leader, of the Augustinian religious order, which was established by St. Augustine in the thirteenth century.<\/p>\n
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He was sent from the Augustinian leadership back to Peru in 2014 to serve as the administrator and then archbishop of Chiclayo, demonstrating Pope Francis\u2019 long-term interest in him.<\/p>\n
\u2018Peace be with you,\u2019 Leo said in his first remarks as Pope Francis\u2019 successor from the loggia of St. Peter\u2019s Basilica. He stressed a message of peace, communication, and missionary evangelisation. He donned the papacy\u2019s traditional crimson cape, which Francis had refused to wear when he was elected in 2013.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>On the second day of the conclave, the audience in St Peter\u2019s Square cheered when white smoke spilt out of the Sistine Chapel. \u2018Viva il papa!\u2019 yelled the audience as priests made the sign of the cross and nuns sobbed.<\/p>\n\n
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