Leo XIV: First U.S.-Born Pope Criticized Trump/Vance on Deportations, Lack of Compassion for Immigrants
StoryMay 09, 2025Watch Full Show
Bryan Massingale
professor of theological and social ethics at Fordham University in New York. He identifies as a Black, gay Catholic priest.
Links
National Catholic Reporter
"Racial Justice and the Catholic Church"
"Pope Francis and the future of Catholic moral theology"
The first U.S.-born pope has taken the name Pope Leo XIV. Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost is also a naturalized citizen of Peru, where he served the church for two decades. He greeted 1.4 billion Roman Catholics and the world Thursday with a message of peace and has posted statements online in support of migrant rights and criticized the Trump administration. In the first part of our discussion, we go to Rome for an update from James V. Grimaldi, executive editor of National Catholic Reporter, and speak with Father Bryan Massingale, a Catholic priest and professor of theological and social ethics. “We need him to step into that void of moral and ethical leadership that we have in our world right now. And we also need the pope to be a prophet of hope in these uncertain times,” says Massingale.
Transcript
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.
AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now!, democracynow.org, The War and Peace Report. I’m Amy Goodman.
The first-ever pope from the United States has been chosen to lead 1.4 billion Roman Catholics. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected on the second day of the conclave. He’s chosen the name Leo XIV, suggesting a possible emphasis on social justice. Pope Leo XIII, who ruled from 1878 to 1903, condemned slavery as a, quote, “wretched yoke that has oppressed many people.” Leo XIV called for peace and dialogue as he addressed the faithful from the Vatican Thursday.
POPE LEO XIV: [translated] Peace be with you all. Beloved brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for God’s flock. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families. To all people, wherever they may be, to all peoples, to all the Earth: peace be with you.
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/5/9/pope_leo_xiv_catholic_church
