Laura Loomer has never been one to shy away from controversy, and her latest target is none other than the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history. The far-right firebrand, known for her fierce loyalty to Donald Trump and her no-holds-barred rhetoric, has been on a relentless campaign to paint the pope as an enemy of the MAGA movement.
Her attacks have sparked a heated debate, pulling in Trump supporters, Catholic traditionalists, and political commentators into a messy cultural clash. What makes this feud so explosive isn’t just the personalities involved but the deeper ideological battle it represents—a collision between hardline nationalism and the Vatican’s increasingly progressive social teachings.
Why Laura Loomer Is Calling Pope Leo XIV an Enemy
Loomer’s main grievance centers on Pope Leo XIV’s past social media activity, which she claims exposes him as a leftist sympathizer. She zeroed in on a retweet where he shared an article criticizing Trump’s immigration policies, framing it as proof that the pope is anti-MAGA. Another post that set her off was his acknowledgment of George Floyd, which she interpreted as endorsing what she called a “criminal” instead of focusing on law enforcement.
For Loomer, these aren’t just disagreements over policy—they’re evidence of a deeper betrayal, a sign that the new pope is more interested in woke activism than traditional Catholic values. Her language has been predictably fiery, calling him a “Marxist puppet” and mocking his stance on social justice as weak and pandering.
The backlash isn’t just coming from Loomer. She’s tapping into a broader frustration among some conservative Catholics who see Pope Leo XIV as too aligned with his predecessor, Pope Francis, whose emphasis on immigration reform, climate change, and economic inequality has long been a thorn in the side of right-wing traditionalists. Many of these critics were hoping for a shift back to a more rigid, doctrinally strict papacy, and Leo XIV’s early signals suggest he’s not going to deliver that. His first public addresses have stressed unity, dialogue, and outreach—exactly the kind of language that makes culture warriors like Loomer bristle.
Trump’s role in all this has been characteristically ambiguous. He hasn’t directly attacked the pope, but he hasn’t exactly defended him either. Instead, he posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope, a move that felt more like trolling than diplomacy. When pressed by reporters, he dodged questions about whether he respected the new pontiff, instead offering a vague statement about looking forward to a potential meeting. It’s classic Trump—keeping his options open, refusing to alienate either his Catholic supporters or his base, which includes plenty of people who share Loomer’s distrust of the Vatican’s direction.
What makes this feud especially fascinating is how it highlights Loomer’s growing influence in Trump’s orbit. She’s not just a loud voice on social media anymore—she’s become a power player, successfully pushing for personnel changes in Trump’s circle and positioning herself as a gatekeeper of MAGA purity. Her crusade against Pope Leo XIV isn’t just about the pope; it’s about shaping the narrative ahead of a potential second Trump administration, where loyalty to the movement’s ideals will be nonnegotiable. If she can frame the pope as an opponent, she strengthens her own role as a defender of Trumpism.
The Vatican, for its part, seems unfazed. Pope Leo XIV has stayed above the fray, focusing on his message of reconciliation and global solidarity. But the tension is undeniable. This isn’t just a spat between a provocateur and a religious leader—it’s a microcosm of the larger culture wars, where every institution, even the papacy, gets dragged into the partisan fray. Whether this controversy fizzles out or escalates depends on how much oxygen the media gives it and whether other high-profile conservatives join Loomer’s crusade.
One thing’s for sure: this won’t be the last time Loomer picks a fight with a high-profile figure. And as long as the pope keeps pushing a message that clashes with MAGA’s hardline stance, she’ll keep framing him as the enemy. For now, the battle lines are drawn, and the stakes are about more than just theology—they’re about who gets to define what conservatism, and even Christianity, means in an era of deepening division.
