Cardinal Robert Prevost’s election as the new pope of the Catholic Church sparked celebration among many Catholics while also prompting some split media coverage of his background and viewpoints.
News outlets unanimously highlighted the fact that Prevost – now known as Pope Leo XIV – is the first American pope.
But some outlets from the left to right differed in how they framed his stances on cultural issues, often giving the impression that the new pope would be aligned with their political values; and offering varying degrees of critique reliant on the pope’s political leanings.
After the recent death of Pope Francis, most media coverage centered around other candidates considered his most likely replacements: Pietro Parolin, Luis Antonio Tagle, and Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Prevost was largely disregarded, with his odds of becoming pope peaking around the 2% mark on Polymarket.
RELATED: Robert Prevost Elected as New Catholic Pope, Becomes Pope Leo XIV
Coverage From the Left
CBS News (Lean Left bias) noted how Prevost is seen as ‘progressive’ on ‘key social issues’ such as on immigration and the poor. They also note how he ‘opposes ordaining women as deacons’, contextualizing this as a stance Pope Francis himself had.
New York Times (Lean Left bias) noted how while Pope Francis was more welcoming to LGBTQ+ people, Prevost lamented the ‘Western’ media apparatus which provided “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel.” NY Times also notes how Prevost has faced criticism on his mishandling of sexual abuse investigations.
The Washington Post (Lean Left bias) noted Prevost’s criticism on his mishandlings of sexual abuse investigations, but took a defensive stance on the side of Prevost, quoting Kathleen Sprows Cummings: “The cardinal electors would be hard-pressed to find a man among their number whose record on this issue is spotless.” Contextualizing Prevost’s critiques as critiques of the Catholic church as a whole, not as issues pertaining to Prevost alone.
CNN (Lean Left bias) wrote that Prevost would be an ‘exceptional leader’, per CNN’s Vatican analyst. “He’s seen as somebody who is calm and balanced, who is even-handed, and who is very clear on what he thinks needs to be done.”
The Independent (Lean Left bias) reported that "It didn’t take long for right-wing media figures and MAGA provocateurs to cry out in rage over the election of Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV after it was revealed that he’d publicly criticized Vice President JD Vance and expressed sympathy for immigrants and George Floyd."
From the Center
BBC News (Center) noted how Prevost is “believed to have shared Francis' views on migrants, the poor and the environment” but that he has also “not shied away from challenging the views of the US Vice-President.” BBC also makes note of his Latin American background which would serve as ‘continuity’ from Pope Francis; despite him being American.
Newsweek (Center) wrote how Leo XIV would represent a “center ground between the reformist path, or shift toward a more traditional model.” Noting how this decision comes at a time of ‘growing ideological divide[s]’ within the Catholic Church.
Forbes (Center) wrote how “Vatican experts have also theorized the church has long hesitated to name an American pope because of the United States’ status as a global superpower, fearing the concentration of power, but suggested Leo XIV’s service in Peru would make him globally minded.”
Reuters (Center) included in its headline that Leo XIV is a ‘Francis supporter’, suggesting his primary focus would be continuing Pope Francis’ work. A high-ranking Catholic official told Reuters that Leo XIV has a strong ‘commitment to social justice issues’ aligned with his predecessor.
From the Right
Breitbart (Right bias) wrote how “The media is already scrambling to glean clues about his stances on moral and theological issues” and quoted Charlie Kirk (Right bias) who claims that Prevost is a “registered Republican… a strong Republican, and he’s pro-life.”
The Washington Times (Lean Right bias) emphasized Leo XIV’s American citizenship, quoting several Republicans who classify the Pope as ‘a Republican’ and a ‘win’ for America.
Daily Mail (Right bias) wrote that Leo XIV took a hard stance against ‘gender ideology’ that “genders that don’t exist.” The source also wrote how the pope was critical of Trump and Vice President JD Vance on immigration, and added that he had an uphill battle ‘primarily because he is an American,’ considering no American had held the title of pope previously.
Newsmax (Right bias) highlighted how Leo XIV is a registered Republican in Illinois, while also saying he “spent years amplifying criticism of President Donald Trump's policies on social media, especially with the president's stance on immigration.”
Emanuel Macuixtle is a content intern for AllSides. He has a Left bias.
Reviewers:
Henry A. Brechter, Editor-in-chief (Center)
Evan Wagner, Product Manager (Lean Left)
Olivia Geno, Research and Growth Strategist (Lean Right)
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