From May 8, 2025, for the first time, one American leads the Catholic Church: Robert Prevost (70), born in Chicago. Donald tramp (79), whose second term at the head of the USA began on January 20, 2025, now has a countryman as religious leader and head of state of the Vatican.
Experts have long ruled out the possibility of an American priest becoming the leader Catholic church. After the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, there were rumors that financially powerful American Catholics offered donations to the Vatican - on the condition that the next pope be American, writes DW.
The USA has about 340 million inhabitants, and Catholics in the world about 1,4 billion. In the November 2024 election, 55 percent of American Catholics voted for Trump.
"What a joy and what a great honor for our country," Trump wrote shortly after the election on his Truth Social channel. The meeting has not yet taken place. Trump, once a Presbyterian, today declares himself a non-denominational Christian.
Migration – a point of conflict
However, in mid-December pope criticized Trump, without mentioning him by name: "The statements about Europe, including in the latest interviews, are trying to destroy what I consider a very important alliance today and in the future."
Since the fall of 2025, Leo XIV has repeatedly clearly criticized the US's attitude towards migrants. The American Bishops' Conference, to which about 270 bishops belong, almost unanimously opposed Trump's policy in mid-November.
The bishops condemned the "climate of fear" and the "disparagement of immigrants", stressing the obligation to "defend God-given human dignity". The form of the statement - a "special announcement" - was unusual, as was the campaign on social media in which many bishops personally announced themselves.
American bishops are on average more conservative than European ones and have often been in opposition to Pope Francis. Politically, many lean Republican – but not on the issue migration.
"Pope Leo began to speak more openly about migration in September," says theologian Massimo Faggioli. On democracy in the USA, Leo abstains, unlike his predecessor Pope Francis (2013-2025).
Latent opposition - and agreement
According to Faggioli, there are already "MAGA-Catholics", Trump supporters who view Leo critically, but this is not yet comparable to the attacks on Pope Francis.
"There are still a lot of positive vibes," Fajoli adds. "It will last until Leo says something politically strong."
Fajoli points to Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic. "Vance always works strategically, he's not naive," he says. By now he had probably decided not to openly criticize Pope Leo. Together with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also a Catholic, the vice president with ambitions for the presidential candidacy has already visited the Pope.
Theologian Benjamin Dahlke talks about "latent opposition" on the issue of migration, but also "latent agreement" in relation to family and gender issues.
"The fact that they are both Americans is a bond that should not be underestimated," emphasizes Dahlke. "A fellow countryman is treated differently than people from other countries."
Will Trump and the Pope meet in 2026?
The Pope did not mention the USA when he talked about the planned trips - he mentioned Africa and Latin America.
Trump, on the other hand, is planning a trip to Europe: Chancellor Friedrich Mertz indicated that the president wants to visit the homeland of his ancestors in Kallstadt. From there to Rome - it's not far.
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