Pope Francis, the first pope from the Global South, first came onto the scene as the leader of the Catholic Church in 2013. During his 12-year papacy, he has had an immense effect on the world. His decision to become Francis—the first pope in history to choose that name—reflects his desire to lead with humility and be an advocate for social justice. He will only be leading his country with 1.4 billion (and counting) citizens. With their moral clarity, he’s redefining modern morality. Restoring care and concern for marginalized people. Rebuilding care and protection for migrants and refugees.
Recently, Pope Francis penned a rare open letter to all U.S. Catholic bishops, directly opposing the immigration policies of the Trump administration and correcting interpretations of theological concepts by U.S. Senator JD Vance. This recent move underscores his continuing desire to build a middle path across the growing chasm within the Church. He zeroes in particularly on American Catholics, who have grown significantly more racially and ideologically polarized.
With an eye toward the future, Pope Francis has strategically appointed 80 percent of the cardinals who will vote to elect his successor, ensuring that his progressive views may endure beyond his papacy. He is preparing for a potential struggle against conservative factions within the Church, particularly those aligned with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
Addressing Immigration and Theological Misinterpretations
Pope Francis’s fierce advocacy on behalf of migrants and refugees has been a defining feature of his papacy. He has always stood against the shackles of mass deportation policies and called for empathy and action to address the root causes driving migration. In fact, his recent letter to U.S. bishops was a pretty scathing denunciation of the Trump administration’s policies. In addition, he contested Vance’s reading of ordo amoris, the order of love.
“Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extend to other persons and groups.” – Pope Francis
Vance chose his family and community over the global responsibilities. Pope Francis advocates a more universal expression of love. He speaks up for a fraternity of man that includes every person, with no one left out. He illustrates this theme beautifully by reimagining the parable of the Good Samaritan.
“The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’ … by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception.” – Pope Francis
This theological split marks a deeper and growing rift in American Catholicism. These contrasting views on immigration enforcement illustrate that underneath these policy debates lie the real ideological fault lines.
A Church Divided
The Catholic Church in the United States has been one institution to mirror this growing polarization over the past few years. Just four years ago in 2014, just 37 percent of American Catholics identified as conservatives. The rise of relatively progressive leaders like Pope Francis has further inflamed these conflicts between traditionalists and progressives in the Church’s hierarchy.
Dr. Randall Balmer, a prominent religious historian, makes clear that this divide is not just religiously but culturally motivated. As he explains, those on the religious right largely believe they’re the victims of an unfolding multicultural society. This sentiment further fires their conviction to resume control and direction of the Church.
“There’s some sort of visceral way that people in the religious right, white evangelicals and I would add, traditionalist Catholics, see themselves as being victims in this multicultural society.” – Dr. Randall Balmer
To many traditionalists, it seems that the progressive changes that Pope Francis has made undermine cherished orthodoxies. He is very public about his slate failures and advocates for all-inclusive LGBTQ+ acceptance. This position has brought him no small amount of fame and odium.
“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” – Pope Francis
Balmer further explains that traditionalists view these shifts as bold changes that undermine their values, creating an environment ripe for conflict.
The Future of Catholicism Under Pope Francis
So now, as Pope Francis enters the second half, or perhaps the last third, of his papacy, he is caught in serious internal crossfire. How he balances these challenges will determine his legacy. His efforts to entrench progressive ideologies within the Church may face significant challenges from conservative factions seeking to reclaim influence.
Even Steve Bannon, the former alt-right icon and now arbiter of American conservatism, has noticed and condemned the Church’s move in what he sees as a globalist direction. Together with others, he contends that this trajectory has been corrosive to American Catholic identity.
“This is another massive institution that means so much about turning our world around. The Catholic Church has been taken over by these globalists and it’s not good, really not good.” – Steve Bannon
Bannon further expresses a desire for a pope who aligns more closely with traditional teachings, reflecting a yearning among conservative Catholics for a return to orthodoxy.
“I think a lot of people, particularly the rising part of the church in America would at least like to see a pope that is accessible to traditional teachings and gets the Catholic Church back on an orthodox pattern.” – Steve Bannon
At the same time, Bannon recognizes the deep fight that has marked the last several years inside the Vatican.
“I have been very open. I’ve worked for years with more of the conservative, traditionalist cardinals and people at the Vatican … it’s been a very tough and vicious fight and this will continue on.” – Steve Bannon
