Pope Leo XIV had an initial one-word response when asked by a reporter on Monday if he had a message for his native United States. It left observers wondering if the pontiff would soon have more to say about President Donald Trump’s policies.

Donald Trump has implied that he was involved in the election of Pope Leo XIV, who was born in Chicago, as the new pope.

He lashed out at Martha Raddatz for suggesting “Pope Leo’s selection had nothing to do with Donald Trump,” which she didn’t even say.

During his first press conference, the pontiff gave a message that could well have been directed at Donald Trump.

Before becoming pontiff, the first U.S.-born pope was not shy about criticizing President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance - social media musings that pulled him into the maelstrom of divided U.

Pope Leo XIV is now the most powerful American Catholic in the world, and experts say he must aptly walk the line between U.S. politics and his papal duties.

"It’s not like he came out and was like, 'Hey, I’m Pope Leo XIV, he/him,'" Colin Jost jokes of the Chicago native

Pope Leo XIV is the first Pope from the Order of St. Augustine, which suggests he will promote peace and dialogue.