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Cardinal Dolan Hails Pope Leo XIV as a ‘Citizen of the World’ Who Will Build Bridges with Trump

Cardinal Dolan Hails Pope Leo XIV as a ‘Citizen of the World’ Who Will Build Bridges with Trump

Vatican Metropolis – Might 9, 2025

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan described Pope Leo XIV, the primary American pontiff, as a “citizen of the world” who will search to construct bridges with world leaders, together with U.S. President Donald Trump, throughout a press convention on the Pontifical North American Faculty in Rome on Might 9, 2025. The feedback comply with the historic election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-born cleric with Peruvian citizenship, because the 267th pope on Might 8, succeeding the late Pope Francis. Dolan’s remarks deal with the brand new pope’s world outlook and potential to navigate complicated political relationships, regardless of previous criticisms of Trump’s insurance policies by Prevost.

Dolan’s Statements and Context

Talking to reporters, Dolan emphasised Pope Leo XIV’s function as a “bridge builder,” noting that the Latin time period pontiff derives from pontifex, that means “bridge maker.” He acknowledged, “Will he wish to construct bridges with Donald Trump? I suppose. However he’ll wish to construct bridges with the chief of each nation.” Dolan framed Leo XIV as a unifying determine, not a counterweight to Trump, regardless of the brand new pope’s historical past of sharing social media posts vital of Trump’s immigration insurance policies, together with a 2015 op-ed by Dolan himself titled “Why Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric is so problematic.”

Dolan’s characterization of Leo XIV as a “citizen of the world” displays the pope’s various background. Born in Chicago, Prevost spent over 40 years ministering in Peru, the place he turned a citizen in 2015, and served as a bishop in Chiclayo. His world expertise, fluency in English and Spanish, and shut ties to Pope Francis’ progressive legacy place him as a frontrunner able to partaking various cultures and leaders. Dolan additionally dismissed regional rivalries, jokingly hoping New York Catholics wouldn’t maintain a “grudge” towards Leo XIV for being from Chicago.

Pope Leo XIV’s Stance and Previous Criticism

Pope Leo XIV, previously Cardinal Robert Prevost, has a report of advocating for migrant rights and critiquing insurance policies related to Trump. As a cardinal, he shared posts on X condemning Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and Vice President JD Vance’s interpretation of Christian teachings to justify deportation insurance policies. In February 2025, Prevost reposted a Nationwide Catholic Reporter article calling Vance “unsuitable” for prioritizing love for countrymen over foreigners. His first papal speech on Might 8 echoed Francis’ name to “construct bridges, not partitions,” a phrase Francis utilized in 2016 to criticize Trump’s border wall plans as “not Christian.”

Regardless of this historical past, Dolan’s optimism about bridge-building suggests Leo XIV might undertake a diplomatic method. In his inaugural deal with, Leo XIV urged the Church to be “all the time open to obtain… everybody,” emphasizing peace, dialogue, and charity, which may lengthen to partaking Trump constructively. Trump congratulated Leo XIV on Reality Social, calling his election a “Nice Honor for our Nation” and expressing eagerness to fulfill him, indicating openness to dialogue regardless of previous tensions with Francis.

Political and Social Dynamics

Dolan’s feedback come amid a polarized U.S. political local weather, with Trump’s second time period marked by controversial tariff insurance policies and immigration crackdowns. Leo XIV’s election has elicited combined reactions:

  • Assist: U.S. leaders, together with Vice President JD Vance, former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, celebrated the historic appointment of an American pope.
  • Criticism: Proper-wing commentators, corresponding to Laura Loomer, labeled Leo XIV a “pro-open borders Marxist” on X, reflecting MAGA skepticism attributable to his progressive leanings.

Dolan, a conservative cardinal who delivered prayers at Trump’s inaugurations, has maintained a cordial relationship with the president. Nevertheless, his 2015 op-ed critiquing Trump’s rhetoric, which Prevost shared, underscores the complicated interaction of private and ideological positions. Trump’s earlier endorsement of Dolan as a possible pope in April 2025, coupled with an AI-generated picture of himself as pope, drew criticism from Dolan, who known as it a “brutta figura” (unhealthy impression).

Broader Implications

Dolan’s portrayal of Leo XIV as a worldwide bridge builder aligns with the pope’s acknowledged priorities of peace, justice, and a focus to social points like migration and local weather change, as famous throughout a dinner with cardinals on Might 8. The selection of the identify Leo XIV, evoking Leo XIII’s give attention to social justice in the course of the Industrial Revolution, suggests an intent to deal with fashionable challenges just like the “digital revolution.” Nevertheless, Leo XIV faces a fragile balancing act:

  • Partaking Trump: His previous criticisms might complicate relations, however diplomatic outreach may mirror Francis’ 2017 assembly with Trump regardless of their public spats.
  • Church Unity: Leo XIV should navigate divides throughout the Church, with 80% of voting cardinals appointed by Francis, probably favoring progressive insurance policies, although conclave dynamics aren’t strictly ideological.

Public Sentiment

X posts mirror diverse reactions to Dolan’s feedback:

  • @cgtnamerica and @alexsalvinews reported Dolan’s bridge-building remarks neutrally, emphasizing Leo XIV’s world outreach.
  • @ArtCandee famous American cardinals’ rejection of Leo XIV as a “counterweight” to Trump, reinforcing Dolan’s framing of a unifying pontiff.
  • @GoogeliArt highlighted Trump’s heat towards Leo XIV regardless of Prevost’s vital tweets, suggesting political pragmatism.

Outlook

Pope Leo XIV’s world perspective and bridge-building ethos, as championed by Dolan, place him to interact world leaders, together with Trump, on points like migration and peace. Whereas his progressive leanings might spark friction with conservative factions, his diplomatic abilities and American roots may foster constructive dialogue. As he prepares for his inaugural Mass and a possible go to to Turkey for the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, Leo XIV’s skill to steadiness precept and pragmatism will form his papacy.

For extra particulars, go to Reuters or Fox News. Observe @Pontifex or @CardinalDolan on X for updates.