On May 18, Pope Leo XIV officially began his papacy. Born Robert Prevost, he is the 267th pope of the Catholic Church and the first pope from the United States. It is believed that the name "Leo" may be a tribute to the 19th-century Pope Leo XIII, who laid foundational principles for Catholic doctrine and emphasized care and inclusion for society's marginalized groups.
After the Vatican announced his election on May 8, Prevost paid tribute to his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, in his first speech as pope. "We can still hear the faint yet ever courageous voice of Pope Francis as he blessed Rome … who gave his blessing to the world, the whole world, on the morning of Easter", he said. He also called on those present, as well as Catholics around the world, to support one another, build bridges through dialogue, and unite in the pursuit of peace.
According to public records, the 69-year-old Prevost was born in Chicago and holds dual citizenship in the United States and Peru. He spent most of his missionary career in Peru, eventually being appointed as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops with the title Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo in 2023, being one of the most important positions in the Catholic Church, responsible for overseeing the selection of most new bishops.
After Prevost was elected pope, both the U.S. President and Vice President offered their congratulations. Trump wrote on Truth Social: "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!" United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres too congratulated the new pope, and noted, "Our world is in need of the strongest voices for peace, social justice, human dignity and compassion". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also called and invited the new pope to visit Ukraine to bring faith and hope to its people. Relevant departments and organizations in China also extended their congratulations to Prevost.
However, behind the praise and well-wishes lies an undeniable reality: expectations for the new pope are deeply divided. A senior researcher at ANBOUND pointed out that neither the left nor the right is particularly fond of the new pope, and that presents a serious challenge.
Immediately after the election results were announced, public opinion quickly became polarized. Left-wing, liberal, and progressive voices criticized the new pope's positions on issues such as gender and sexual orientation, arguing that they lack inclusivity. These topics were central concerns for the previous pope, Francis, and have long been at the heart of deep divisions between liberal and conservative Catholics. Left-leaning media outlets such as The New York Times and The Guardian were quick to highlight some of Prevost's past remarks. For instance, in a 2012 speech, Prevost claimed that widespread Western media coverage of topics like "abortion" and the "homosexual lifestyle" was promoting trends contrary to Church teachings. Some left-leaning outlets have even turned their focus to Prevost's family, drawing attention to controversial comments made by his brother, who has expressed anti-Democratic Party views and made disparaging remarks about marginalized groups.
Meanwhile, conservatives and right-wing groups have also expressed their discontent with the new pope. Supporters of Trumpism and anti-globalization movements are particularly critical of many of Prevost's statements and actions. For example, during his first address to the public as pope, Prevost spoke in Spanish rather than English, prompting conservative voices in the U.S. to accuse him of not prioritizing America and instead embodying globalist ideals. Even more unsettling to American conservatives is Prevost's consistent sympathy for immigrant communities and his opposition to xenophobic populist policies, positions that align him closely with his predecessor, Pope Francis. Prevost has repeatedly spoken out on social media against large-scale deportation practices, criticizing them for lacking compassion and questioning the moral conscience of policymakers. More recently, Prevost publicly rejected J.D. Vance's controversial notion that "Christian love should be ranked", that one should prioritize family and citizens above others. Instead, the new pope reaffirms that Christian love is universal and should not be artificially restricted. He has also shared content opposing the death penalty, supporting COVID-19 vaccination efforts, and offering prayers for George Floyd, the Black man killed by police. All these are issues that many right-wing groups in the U.S. consider politically charged. Unsurprisingly, right-wing commentators and influencers have been quick to label the new pope with various political epithets, calling him a "woke pontiff". Some analysts suggest that for "America First" advocates, Prevost's stances on immigration, climate change, and social justice are not only off-putting but are also perceived as signs that the Vatican is using its religious authority to "interfere" in U.S. domestic affairs. From this perspective, the right views the new pope's positions as attempts to undermine their core principle of national sovereignty through religious influence.
The Vatican is often viewed by right-wing groups as part of a transnational elite network and is regarded with deep suspicion. In reality, this reflects a broader rift between the U.S. and Europe, one that is not only political but also rooted in conflicting religious and cultural values. This tension highlights deeper, more serious challenges in transatlantic relations. Such divisions were already evident during the papacy of Pope Francis, particularly in his clashes with figures like Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance. Similar dynamics are likely to emerge in future interactions between Pope Leo XIV and the U.S. government. According to media reports, several Vatican insiders have revealed that cardinals hoped Prevost would serve as a counterbalance to Trump and help prevent a fracture within the American Church. Initially, there was hesitation about electing a pope from a global superpower. However, the cardinals quickly came to see that Prevost, being American himself, could offer a "different voice" to challenge Trump from within.
Assessing the Vatican's future positioning largely depends on how one characterizes the institution itself. A senior researcher at ANBOUND argues that the Holy See is, in essence, the world's largest and most effective transnational organization operating under the banner of religion. Historically, popes have expressed views on international affairs, but these were typically framed within a religious context, such as offering prayers for Catholics in wartime or advocating for their protection in times of crisis. Today, however, the Vatican goes far beyond its traditional spiritual mandate. It increasingly engages in global political discourse, and even seeks to shape ideological narratives. In many respects, the Vatican's areas of concern have already extended well beyond the traditional boundaries of the Church. If this trend continues, one can only imagine what this "transnational organization" under Vatican leadership might evolve into. Could it become a kind of mini United Nations? Or perhaps a powerful ideological bloc in global politics? Both scenarios are plausible. For now, the future remains uncertain, though the direction is clear, and the implications are significant.
From this perspective, the concerns expressed by both the global left and right may indeed be justified.
Final analysis conclusion:
With the election of Pope Leo XIV, it is evident that neither the global left nor the right is fully satisfied, and this is potentially a cause for concern. Under his leadership, the Vatican may be evolving into one of the world's largest and most effective transnational organizations, a development that is certain to have implications for the future global landscape.
______________
Zhijiang Zhao is a Research Fellow for Geopolitical Strategy programme at ANBOUND, an independent think tank.
