Pope Leo XIV.: A bridge builder between Trump and the USA?

Pope Leo XIV.: A bridge builder between Trump and the USA?

Chicago, USA - Robert F. Prevost was elected as 267th Pope of the Catholic Church and is the first American in this office. The new Pope has earned the call of a "bridge builder", which is particularly important in the polarized society of the United States. In this context, American society is strongly divided between progressive, liberal and conservative currents, a polarization that is also reflected within the Catholic Church. Prevost has the opportunity to unite both camps as a Pope and show that the concerns of the different groups do not have to be contrast. This task is not easy, since the Catholic Church in the USA is characterized by different currents that range from the socially committed "social justice Catholic" to those who place special emphasis on liturgical practices and faith. This also describes NZZ .

The influence of Catholicism on US politics should not be underestimated. Around 30% of MPs in Congress are Catholic. A prominent example of this influence is Vice President J.D. Vance, who presented a letter from Donald Trump. Trump invited the Pope to visit the USA. Prevost said that he would react to this in due course, but it remains unclear when such a meeting will take place. Many are perceived by many as an "anti-trump", which makes the relationship between the two characters even more complex. Nevertheless, Professor Dr. believes Benjamin Dahlke that there will be no public conflicts between Prevost and Trump, since Prevost is confronted with the abuse scandal that he has rejected.

challenges and opportunities

Prevost, born in Chicago in 1955, where the reforms of the second Vatican Council were formative, spent almost 25 years as a missionary, teacher and bishop in Peru. This experience gave him an international perspective that could be an advantage in his role as a Pope. He kept his first speech after the election in Italian and Spanish, which indicates his awareness of the global challenges of faith. Prevost is also a participant in the World Synod 2023 and 2024, which underlines his vision of a church with more participation. His choice as Pope Leo XIV refers to Leo XIII. and its social teachings that are important today.

The Roman Catholic Church in the USA has a long and diverse story that goes back to colonization. Currently, around 75 million people, i.e. around one fifth of the US population, are Catholic. The unity within this large community is shaped by ethnic differences and the variety of beliefs. The Catholic Church has 32 church provinces and 176 dioceses that extend across the country. Despite its strength, however, the Church faces challenges, especially through the long history of the abuse scandals that have shaken the credibility of the institution.

The Catholic Church in the United States offers a unique religious landscape that is characterized by its deep roots in the history of immigration and its social commitment. Prevost has the potential to take these traditions into account and at the same time bring in new perspectives. The expectations of his future trips, possibly first to Peru and then to the USA, are high. The Catholic community will eagerly await how this new Pope is concerned with the challenges and what answers it can offer for the complex questions of modern society.