Vatican | Pope: Leo XIV – the anti-Trump

With the election of Pope Leo XIV, whose real name is Robert Francis Prevost, the Catholic Church gained a new leader on Thursday evening, promising a certain continuity with his predecessor, Francis . Expectations for the first American to sit on the See of St. Peter are high.

In the months leading up to his election, Leo XIV repeatedly positioned himself as a committed advocate for refugees and migrants . On social media and in public statements, he sharply criticized the restrictive migration policies of the United States under President Donald Trump and his deputy, J.D. Vance. Prevost particularly strongly rejected Vance's attempt to limit Christian charity to the family and thus justify massive cuts in foreign aid. "Jesus doesn't ask us to diminish our love for others," he posted on his X account, linking to an article critical of Vance's understanding of charity. Prevost also commented sharply on Trump's meeting with El Salvador's President Bukele, which discussed the use of a prison for US purposes: "Don't you see the suffering? Don't you have a guilty conscience?"

But Prevost also has a shadow over him. Both in Chicago and during his time as bishop in Peru, the new pope is implicated in cases of sexual violence. Three sisters accuse Prevost of not taking decisive enough action against two priests they accuse of sexual abuse. While the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru claims that Prevost initiated an investigation and submitted the results to Rome, the women vehemently contradict this: they were never given a canonical hearing, and the church's portrayal is an attempt to cover up the case. In Chicago, too, Prevost and his successor, Cupich, are accused of not consistently pursuing cases of abuse in the 1980s and 1990s.

While there are prominent voices defending Prevost: Peruvian investigative journalists, for example, emphasize that he consistently sided with the victims in the scandal surrounding the ultra-conservative Sodalicio movement and was the target of a smear campaign, the suspicion remains that at crucial moments the new pope prioritized protecting the institution rather than investigating the matter.

In church politics, Leo XIV is considered a centrist, a bridge-builder between conservative and progressive forces. His long-standing work in Latin America and his close collaboration with Francis speak for a pastoral, cosmopolitan approach. However, major reforms within the church are unlikely to be expected from him: Prevost has not advocated progressive positions in the past, neither on the ordination of women nor on the abolition of celibacy nor on the opening up of same-sex partnerships.

With Leo XIV, the Catholic Church is led by a pope who could set a precedent on issues of poverty, migration, and social justice. His clear criticism of nationalist tendencies and his advocacy for refugees make him an important voice in the global discourse. The Church is gaining a politically minded pope who speaks for the weak – but whether he also has the courage to bring about real change remains to be seen.