Donald Trump Faces Backlash Over – Trump Message to New Pope Leo XIV

Trump Message to New Pope Draws Criticism Over Errors

This past week, Donald Trump’s congratulatory message to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV sparked widespread criticism online, with many labeling the former president “stupid” for what they called a glaring mistake. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was announced as the next pope after the passing of Pope Francis, making history as the first North American pope. While Trump’s intention was to celebrate the historic moment, his choice of words and apparent factual errors triggered a wave of backlash.

Trump issued his statement across both official White House channels and his personal social media accounts, writing:
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

Although the statement appeared well-intentioned, critics were quick to jump on two main issues — grammar and geographical accuracy.

Read More: Robert Prevost becomes new American Pope

Read More: Cardinal elects new Pope

Public Points Out Grammar and Geography Missteps in Trump Message to New Pope

One of the most immediate criticisms was Trump’s random capitalization in his statement. Many social media users pointed out that phrases like “Great Honor” should not have been capitalized. Comments like “Bring back grammar!” and calls for Trump to install a Grammarly plugin flooded Twitter and Facebook.

But the bigger point of contention came from Trump’s claim that Prevost was the “first American Pope.” Critics were quick to note that while Prevost is indeed the first North American pope, Pope Francis, who hailed from Argentina, was the first pope from the Americas — specifically, South America.

One commenter bluntly stated, “It’s not the first American Pope. The first American pope was Francis!! Study geography!!!” Others emphasized that the term “American” encompasses both North and South America, making Trump’s declaration inaccurate.

Pope Leo XIV’s Election Marks a Historic Moment

Despite the controversy over Trump’s message, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost’s election marks a major moment in Catholic history. After a 24-hour conclave, the cardinals elected Prevost as the 267th pope, following the death of Pope Francis at age 88.

From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV addressed the crowd, reflecting on his years as an Augustinian priest and missionary in Peru. Switching between Italian and Spanish, he emphasized unity and walking together as Christians. The emotional scene saw thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, cheering and chanting the new pope’s name.

The conclave itself was a massive undertaking, requiring a two-thirds majority (89 ballots) to secure the papacy. The linguistic diversity among the voting cardinals contributed to a slightly longer process, mirroring the timeline of Pope Francis’s election in 2013.

Remembering Pope Francis: The People’s Pope

The late Pope Francis left behind a powerful legacy, known worldwide as “the people’s pope.” As the first pontiff from South America, he brought a fresh voice to the Catholic Church, advocating for social justice, humility, and environmental stewardship. His death on Easter Monday prompted global mourning, with leaders across the world sending condolences and hundreds of thousands attending his funeral.

Pope Francis had played a significant role in shaping the College of Cardinals, appointing 108 of the 133 cardinals who ultimately selected his successor. This influence helped pave the way for the election of Pope Leo XIV, whose leadership is already being seen as both historic and unifying.

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Key Points

✅ Trump’s message congratulating Pope Leo XIV drew criticism for grammatical mistakes and factual errors.
✅ Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost is the first North American pope, but Pope Francis was the first from the Americas.
✅ Social media users mocked Trump’s capitalization and geographical slip-ups.
✅ Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Prevost, delivered a unifying message from St. Peter’s Basilica after his election.
✅ The late Pope Francis left behind a powerful legacy as the first South American pontiff, influencing the next generation of church leaders.