At 69, Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost has become Pope Leo XIV, the 267th pope, elected on May 8, 2025. Though born in the U.S., he’s officially the second pope from the Americas after Pope Francis. Known for his compassion toward migrants and the marginalized, Leo XIV’s views contrast sharply with those of former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Trump stirred controversy with an AI image of himself as pope before praising Leo’s election as “an honor for our country.” Meanwhile, Pope Leo clashed with Vance over immigration and Gospel teachings, rejecting Vance’s claim that love should be ranked.

Pope Leo’s first acts included sharing stories critical of deportations, reflecting his commitment to justice and compassion. Though JD Vance offered congratulations, the new pope’s pastoral yet firm stance signals a papacy focused on unity, care for the vulnerable, and challenging political narratives with Gospel-centered values.