Right now, Donald Trump and Pope Leo are probably the most powerful Americans in the world. They have power in different jobs and areas.

One new American leader's main idea was "Fight!" The new pope introduced himself to the world with his first public word: "Peace."

The differences between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, who was born in Chicago, were very clear in politics, their personal lives, and how they see the world. They had different jobs and areas of influence.

Since Leo, the first pope from the U.S., was elected last week to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, the two most powerful people in the world are now Americans. This makes people question American influence, especially because Trump's trade conflicts and direct threats have changed the global system that has existed for eighty years and caused allies to distrust the United States.

Many people think that the Catholic Church did not choose an American as Pope for almost 250 years because they were worried about the United States having too much power in the world. This changed last week when the former Cardinal Robert F. Prevost from Chicago, now Pope Leo XIV, became the 267th Pope.

David Gibson, who heads Fordham University's Center on Religion and Culture, commented on the paradox of Leo’s election, noting that it would likely be perceived internationally as a symbol of optimism, representing an American voice for global concerns rather than an opposing force.

Pope Leo represents a distinctive type of American presence on the global stage.

The initial surprise and happiness about the less famous cardinal being chosen quickly turned into a lively discussion about how two Americans could be at the very top of the global power structure.

It is well known that Trump does not like sharing attention or being the most important person, which is clear from his "America first" foreign policy. Despite this, American Catholics chose Trump instead of his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris.

To try and get their support, Trump shared a picture made by AI that showed him dressed as a pope. He posted it while people were sad after Pope Francis died on April 21st. Some Catholics and Italians didn't like this. Trump said he didn't post the picture himself and that people who were upset couldn't understand a joke. He also said that Catholics actually liked it.

Nonetheless, Trump extended his best wishes to Leo, deeming it a "profound honor" that the newly appointed pontiff hailed from the United States.

Meanwhile, Pope Leo can also be viewed as a politician, possessing a serene demeanour and engaging his fellow cardinals in intimate discussions prior to the conclave, according to accounts. Although born in Chicago, Leo, formerly Prevost, dedicated two decades to missionary work in Peru before Pope Francis appointed him in 2023 to head the influential Vatican department responsible for evaluating bishops globally.

He wouldn’t be the first pontiff to involve himself in international affairs. Pope John Paul II, for instance, is rightly credited with helping dismantle communism. Yet Leo assumes the papacy having previously voiced criticism of Vice President JD Vance, the most prominent Catholic figure in American politics, through social media platforms. Leo finds himself in disagreement with the administration on policy matters such as immigration – a defining issue for Trump – and environmental protection.

Similar to Trump, Leo has shifted his focus towards the media. On Monday in Vatican City, he advocated for the liberation of incarcerated journalists and reaffirmed the imperative for "all of us to defend the valuable entitlement of free expression and a free press." Conversely, Trump's interactions with journalists have been contentious, spanning from his time in the White House to legal confrontations.

Trump and Pope Leo occupy distinct spheres as leaders.

In early February, Leo — who at the time was known as Prevost — circulated an article from a Catholic journal titled, “JD Vance is mistaken: Jesus does not instruct us to prioritize our affection for others.”

A few days earlier, Vance, who converted to Catholicism, talked about immigration in a Fox News interview. He mentioned a Christian idea that you should love your family first, then your neighbor, then your community, then your fellow citizens, and after that, care about the rest of the world.

Speaking in Italian to thousands in St. Peter’s Square, Leo shared a different idea for the Church and how people relate to each other: “We should be a church that works together to build connections and keep our arms open, like this square, welcoming everyone.”

Vance suggested that the papacy is more important than politics and social media. He said it is difficult to fit an institution that is 2,000 years old into American politics today. He added that it is better for everyone if the church can focus on saving souls.

Steven Millies, who is the director of The Bernardin Center in Chicago, said that when Trump and Leo became popular at the same time, it was like "the gospel met the culture." He also said that religion and politics don't work well together because they have different goals.

Millies said in an email that Francis and Cardinal Prevost were acting as bishops. They were teaching the Gospel and reminding people that the Gospel always helps the poor, the troubled, and those who are suffering. Millies added that this is not something Trump does as president, a reality TV star, or a businessman.

To what extent does Pope Leo's perspective align with American ideals?

Scholars say that because Leo has lived in Peru for many years and is a citizen of both countries, he probably has a wider view of people, power, religion, and politics.

Besides the clear personality differences with Trump, Leo is expected to use power in a different way. He will help the people who need it most first, unlike Trump who stopped American aid. Leo did not talk about his American background in his first speech, and he did not speak English. Some people who watch the Vatican said this shows his focus is on the world.

Although it is true that Leo is the first pope born in the U.S., it is better to see him as the second pope from the Americas. This idea questions the 'America first' way of thinking and sees the whole region together, like Pope Francis did first, with its main focus in the global south, according to Raul Zegarra, an assistant professor of Roman Catholic theological studies at Harvard Divinity School.

He said, 'This shows a pope who believes in leading globally through talking to people, not being alone. He sees power as helping others, not controlling them.' He added, 'It's hard to think of a bigger difference compared to the current government in the U.S.'

According to some American cardinals, Leo's style and outlook are not particularly American, suggesting his U.S. heritage played a negligible role in his papal selection. Nevertheless, Trump's presence loomed large over the proceedings.

Six American cardinals who were part of the conclave came to a press conference while "Born in the USA" and "American Pie" played loudly. Then, one by one, they said Leo's American background was not important. One repeated a popular saying that Leo was "the least American of the American" cardinals. Several said they thought Leo would help connect with the Trump government, explaining the meaning of the Latin word "pontiff."

In response to an inquiry regarding whether the cardinals chose Leo to counterbalance Trump, several affirmed they had not.

“I highly doubt my fellow cardinals would have perceived him as a counterpoint to any individual,” stated Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York.

Clearly, the cardinals knew about the things that had happened in the United States, including statements and political actions, said Wilton Gregory, the former archbishop of Washington. But he said the main goal of the meeting was to choose someone who could make the faith stronger.

Millies said that the world should not be afraid of a pope born in the U.S. He is actually the opposite, being 'the least American of the Americans.' This means he has not been affected by recent U.S. politics and might seem safer. However, he is still an American who knows the good parts of this country very well.

Darlene Superville, an Associated Press writer based in Washington, also contributed to this report.