New Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, once challenged Donald Trump and JD Vance over their treatment of migrants. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, has used social media in recent years to express concern over how migrants and refugees were treated during Trump’s time in office.

Before being elected pope, he shared several posts on X that took aim at the Trump administration’s approach to immigration, including the controversial policy of separating families at the US border. In one post that Pope Leo XIV re-shared, the original author wrote: “There 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.”

Another repost criticised the deportation of a US resident who was once undocumented, asking: “Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?”

The new pope also shared an opinion piece from the National Catholic Reporter earlier this year, which challenged comments made by US Vice President JD Vance.

The article was titled: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” in response to remarks Vance made during an appearance on Fox News.

Despite the past criticism, Donald Trump welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s appointment with a message posted to Truth Social.

“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope,”Trump wrote.

He added: “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!”