On May 8, the Vatican made the historic announcement of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost’s election as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The 69-year-old Chicago native, who has spent much of his life in Peru as a missionary, addressed the masses for the first time from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica under his papal name, Pope Leo XIV.

While much of his early career has been focused on religious and humanitarian work, Pope Leo XIV’s political views have remained largely a topic of speculation—until now. The pope has previously reposted anti-Trump sentiments on social media, made comments on the intersections of technology and power, and criticized figures such as Vice President JD Vance. However, his stance on some of the most pressing global issues, particularly those relating to immigration, has remained somewhat elusive.

Now, in an exclusive interview with The New York Times, Pope Leo XIV’s brother, John Prevost, has offered new insights into his sibling’s political views, specifically his position on Trump’s policies.

A Centrist Approach with Progressive Leanings
John Prevost, a retired Catholic school principal, revealed to the New York Times that his brother, Pope Leo XIV, tends to take a more centrist approach, especially when it comes to hot-button political issues. “I don’t think we’ll see extremes either way,” John remarked, adding that he believes Pope Leo XIV will follow in the footsteps of the late Pope Francis, who was known for his progressive stance on social and humanitarian issues.

One area where Pope Leo XIV’s views seem likely to align with his predecessor’s is in the area of immigration, where both popes have been outspoken. John continued, “I don’t think he’ll stay quiet for too long if he has something to say. I know he’s not happy with what’s going on with immigration. I know that for a fact. How far he’ll go with it is anyone’s guess, but he won’t just sit back. I don’t think he’ll be the silent one.”

Pope Leo’s approach to immigration has been a subject of speculation since the early days of his election. His brother’s candid comments indicate that, much like Pope Francis, the new pope may challenge the policies of world leaders, including Trump, when it comes to issues like border control and the treatment of refugees.

Pope Leo apparently won’t be quiet about it either (Simone Risoluti – Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
Pope Leo apparently won’t be quiet about it either (Simone Risoluti – Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)

The Legacy of Pope Francis and the Immigration Debate
John’s remarks on Pope Leo XIV’s views on immigration come at a time when the debate surrounding the topic has been a defining issue of both the U.S. and global political landscapes. During Pope Francis’ papacy, the late pontiff was vocal in his opposition to Donald Trump’s immigration policies, particularly the construction of a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico.

In a visit to Mexico in February 2016, Pope Francis famously criticized Trump’s plans, stating: “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not of building bridges, is not Christian. This is not the gospel.” The statement, which directly challenged Trump’s rhetoric, set the stage for a prolonged ideological divide between the pontiff and the U.S. president, particularly regarding the treatment of immigrants and the importance of compassion over division.