The election of the first American pope has generated mixed reactions among Americans.
While President Donald Trump quickly hailed the event as an ‘honor,’ Laura Loomer, a right-wing political activist and internet personality, voiced her disagreement.
On May 8, white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling the selection of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the 267th pontiff.
Born in Chicago, Prevost holds the distinction of being the first American to ascend to the papacy.
Following his election, Prevost’s past comments on Trump’s policies have been circulating on social media. Loomer, known for her controversial views and self-description as a ‘proud Islamaphobe,’ according to the BBC, did not shy away from criticizing him.
Prevost had shared a tweet stating: “As Trump & Bukele use Oval to Feds’ illicit deportation of a US resident, once an undoc-ed Salvadorean himself, now-DC Aux +Evelio asks, ‘Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?'”
The Independent noted that Prevost had also shared a tweet asserting: “There is nothing remotely Christian, American, or morally defensible about a policy that takes children away from their parents and warehouses them in cages. This is being carried out in our name and the shame is on us all.”
The newly elected pope has criticized JD Vance, Trump’s vice president, by sharing an op-ed from the National Catholic Reporter titled: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
Loomer, an avid Trump supporter known for her conspiracy theories, such as claiming 9/11 was an inside job, did not hold back in her criticism.
On X, previously Twitter, she lashed out at Prevost, labeling him as an ‘anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open Borders, and a total Marxist,’ akin to ‘Pope Francis.’
“Catholics don’t have anything good to look forward to,” she continued. “Just another Marxist puppet in the Vatican.”
In a separate post, she simply declared: “WOKE MARXIST POPE.”
Loomer gained attention last September amid reports that she influenced Trump to dismiss National Security Council members she considered disloyal, though Trump has denied her involvement.
She has previously asserted that Kamala Harris is not black and alleged that George Soros’s son was ‘sending cryptic messages calling for Trump’s assassination,’ as reported by the BBC.
Her outspoken views, especially against Muslims, have led to her being banned from social media platforms and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.