Pope Leo XIV begins Latin America trip amid Trump influence

Pope Leo XIV lands in Latin America this week, just days after U.S. midterm elections that reinforced Donald Trump’s influence over the region. The trip, his first major overseas since becoming pope, comes as Latin American governments tilt toward Trump-aligned leaders, making it nearly impossible for the Vatican to avoid the shadow of American politics.

The timing is no accident. Leo XIV was elected last year partly on promises to repair the Church’s strained relations with conservative leaders in Latin America, many of whom admire Trump’s tough stance on immigration and trade. The midterms confirmed Trump’s grip on U.S. politics, giving him more leverage in the region. Countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala—where Trump-backed leaders hold power—now face pressure to align with Washington on issues like migration and economic policy. The pope’s visit is meant to counter that trend, pushing instead for social justice and environmental protection in a region where the Church once held unchallenged moral authority.

The trip kicks off in Brazil, where President Jair Bolsonaro—a Trump ally who has clashed with the Vatican over deforestation in the Amazon—will greet the pope. The Vatican insists Leo XIV won’t engage in political debates, but his calls for climate action and support for indigenous communities will put him at odds with Bolsonaro’s policies. In Colombia, the pope will meet with President Iván Duque, another Trump ally, amid ongoing peace talks with rebels. The Vatican’s message of reconciliation contrasts sharply with Duque’s hardline security approach.

What happens next could reshape the Church’s role in Latin America. If Leo XIV’s appeals to moderation fall flat, it may embolden Trump-aligned leaders to further distance themselves from Vatican priorities. But if the pope’s message gains traction, it could reassert the Church as a counterbalance to Trump’s influence in the region. Either way, the trip underscores a growing divide: as Trump’s shadow stretches across Latin America, the Vatican is struggling to reclaim its moral ground without being pulled into U.S. politics.