Months before Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became the first American Pope, a social media account under his name expressed criticism or vice president JD Vance, sharing an article that described the interpretation of the vice president of the “incorrect” Christian doctrine.
The article, published in the National Catholic Reporter, was a refutation for the interpretation of Mr. Vance of a Catholic education he had used to defend the deportation policies of the Trump administration.
The publication about X, which the account shared in February, was one of several that highlighted articles that criticized the positions of the Trump administration on immigration.
In April, the account under the name of Cardinal Prevost shared comments from a Catholic writer who asked if President Trump and President Nayib Bikele or El Salvador saw that “suffering” was reduced by their immigration policies.
“Your conscious is not disturbed?” An analyst from the Catholic Church, Rocco Palmo, wrote. “How can you remain silent?”
Although the New York Times could not confirm independently if Cardinal Prevost executed the account, or if it was operated by a staff member, the account was connected to a telephone number and an email address that is believed to be linked to it. Almost all publications, dating from 2011, shared articles, statements and comments made by other church leaders, not by Cardinal himself.
In July 2015, the account again published an article by Cardinal Timothy M. Dollan in New York that described the “anti -immigrant rhetoric” by Trump as “problematic.” Three years later, the account shared a publication by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago, saying that “there was nothing remotely Christian, American or morally defense” about the administration’s policy to separate the migrant children of Thei King.
The account also seemed to disagree with the repeal of the Trump administration of the Deferred Action Program for children in childhood, known as Daca, which granted legal status to young adults brought to the country as children. The account published the comments of several church leaders who attacked the decision as “heartless” and feeding “racism and nativism.”
Mr. Trump’s criticism is largely echoed on the positions of Pope Francis, who also expresses his disagreement with the deportation policies of the administration.
Sometimes, the account was addressed to another area of American content or politics. In 2020, he shared a statement signed by seven US bishops who said they were “with a broken, sick and outraged heart” by the murder of George Floyd, which they described as a “call of attention.”
In 2017, the account shared a position by Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, criticizing other legislators for refusing to approve the legislation of arms control after Mandalay Bay’s massive shooting in Las Vegas. Since then, Murphy has become one of the most vowel critics of the Trump administration.
And several publications shared articles that oppose the rights of abortion, including one of the Catholic news agency that presented “pro-life Democrats” independent criticizing Hillary Clinton for the adoption of an “extreme pro-abortion platform.”
Only a small fraction of publications referred to American policy. Many were in Spanish and shared ads of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, the US Catholic Bishops Conference. And the Vatican. Others approached matters of Catholic faith and doctrine or marked special dates for the order of St. Augustine, a religious order of men and women who follow the teachings of the saint of the fourth century, or that Cardinal Prevost is a member.
Some were even light rates: a publication linked to an article of the Catholic news service that lists the best Christmas films.
The first publications were shared in 2011 and seemed to be updates on the cardinal’s travel schedule.
“In Rome, Council meetings,” the account published on September 20, 2011.
Until now, Trump does not seem to be saving for the Pope for any previous criticism. In his own publication about X, the president said he hoped to meet with the new Pope.
Mr. Vance, a Catholic convert who with Pope Francis shortly before his death, also sent good wishes afternoon.
“Congritions to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, in his choice!” He wrote on social networks. “I am sure that millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for their successful work leading the Church. God bless it!”
Not everyone in Mr. Trump’s orbit can be so pleased.
Even before the selection of the new Pope, Steve Bannon, one of the president’s main allies, who has urged the Church to adopt a more traditional position, described the Premost Cardinals as “one of the dark horses” to become the next pontiff.
“Unfortunately, he is one of the most progressive,” said Bannon in the interview last week.
Kate Conger Contributed reports.
