ZAP //MAZUR Catholic Church (England and Wales)//GRAEME SLOAN ; POOL/EPA
Anyone who thought that an American pope would favor Trump was mistaken. A complete break with the White House could alienate millions of white Catholics from the Church — but Trump cannot forget Hispanic Catholics.
The separation between the White House and the Vatican seemed destined from the moment it became known that Pope Francis’ successor, Leo XIV, was from the Trump administration, but the relationship is no longer just a political divergence.
Since assuming leadership of the Catholic Church in May, North American Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff born in the United States, has intensified this criticism, on matters such as immigration, foreign policy and climate change.
Although these positions have so far not led to visible changes in the White House’s line, the confrontation is having internal implications in the US Catholic community, points out.
The history of disagreement between popes and North American presidents is not new. The Church’s social doctrine does not initially coincide with any of the major parties, which over the years has led to criticism directed at both Republicans and Democrats.
At first, it was feared that Leo XIV, being American, would tend to align, or at least come closer, to Washington’s policy, but the supreme pontiff has proven the opposite: he denies JD Vance, he constantly criticizes Trump’s immigration policy, coming out in defense of refugees, he attacked early on, he criticized savage capitalism, in defense of Venezuelans and the rule of law… oh, and . The “real” one, not the American one.
A new one is opening fracture within North American Catholicism — where loyalty to Trump proves to be strong, but unequal between groups, also points out the newspaper specializing in European politics.
In the 2024 elections, Trump will have obtained 59% of the Catholic votea high result that, however, hides a division. Support for the President is mainly concentrated among white Catholics. Among Hispanic Catholics, the pattern was reversed.: Kamala Harris won this electorate 58% to 41%. And Hispanic Catholics are the fastest growing segment of the Church in the United States.
A immigration is the main point of friction. A survey carried out in November by the Catholic channel EWTN and Real Clear Politics, before a rare special message from the bishops on the topic, reveals a divided Catholic country. Among white Catholics, 60% support large-scale deportations and 26% oppose. Among Latino Catholics, 41% support and 39% oppose. The data also suggests that the division may vary depending on the degree of religious practice.
On the administration side, the response has been harsh, even for North American citizens. Senior officials accused the Church of resettling illegal immigrants and being concerned about its financial results, ignoring criticism and recommending that the Vatican focus on strictly ecclesiastical matters.
A complete break with the White House could alienate millions of white Catholics and, by extension, weaken networks of conservative donors with connections to Trump’s political universe, predicts Politico.
Despite everything, both sides seem to make efforts, through other channels, to keep the relationship sustainable. Some figures from the conservative Catholic camp have already shown their approach to the administration.
An example is the former bishop Joseph Stricklandremoved by Francisco for repeated insubordination, who participated in a ceremony paying homage to the “tsar of the border”, praising his role in combating human trafficking and in the “restoration of law and order”.
Although Leo XIV and Trump have no personal relationship and a meeting in 2026 seems unlikely, there is diplomatic activity between Washington and Rome. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken by phone with two senior Vatican figures, the apostolic nuncio to the US, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, and the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, since the beginning of the year. Pierre, in turn, returned to Rome and met the Pope personally. And Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, met at the White House with Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
