(NewsNation) — Two American cardinals driven again on the concept the conclave selected Cardinal Robert Prevost — now Pope Leo XIV — as a counterweight to President Donald Trump.
Cardinals Timothy Dolan and Wilton Daniel Gregory, amongst others, addressed questions Friday about Leo’s path to becoming pontiff.
When requested whether or not the number of the first American pope was once a mirrored image of cardinals’ need to steadiness out Trump’s world affect, Gregory mentioned: “I didn’t sense in the conversations that I had with the other cardinals of the world that the conclave was seen as a continuation of the American political election.”
Future he stated the cardinals have been acutely aware of statements and political movements out of the US, Gregory mentioned he felt the electing contributors have been basically concerned about “who amongst us can bring us together.”
“It wasn’t an election conclave, it was once a need to fortify the Christian faith amongst God’s public,” he mentioned.
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Trustworthy react nearest the announcement of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV on the Vatican on Would possibly 8. (AP Picture/Francisco Seco) -
Cardinals attend a last Cluster at St. Peter’s Basilica sooner than the conclave to elect a unused pope Would possibly 7. (AP Picture/Gregorio Borgia) -
White smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel right through the conclave to elect a unused pope Would possibly 8. (AP Picture/Andrew Medichini)
Nolan indubitably, calling Leo a “bridge builder” who will inevitably paintings along side myriad global leaders.
“Will he want to build bridges to Donald Trump? I suppose that he would want to build bridges with the leader of every nation. So, I don’t think — at all — my brother cardinals would have thought of him as a counterweight to any one person,” Nolan mentioned.
Nolan added {that a} conversation with Trump most likely wouldn’t store to any extent further “heft” for Leo than the pinnacle of any alternative crowd.
Leo has previously used social media to ward off at the Trump management and its rhetoric round immigration, the death penalty and gun laws, consistent with a overview of his X posts by way of NewsNation spouse The Hill.
In a 2023 interview with the Vatican News Service, the then-cardinal referred to as social media “an important tool to communicate the Gospel message reaching millions of people,” though he acknowledged there is sometimes “a chance of fueling sections and controversy.”