Overview

• Pope Francis, known for his reformist papacy, passed away on Easter Monday, prompting polarized reactions from political and religious figures.
• MAGA-aligned figures, including Marjorie Taylor Greene and Benjamin Harnwell, celebrated or mocked the pope’s death on social media, reflecting longstanding tensions with his progressive agenda.
• Francis’s critiques of populism, nationalism, and Trump’s border wall, alongside his advocacy for migrants and climate action, made him a target for right-wing populists.
• Steve Bannon’s efforts to create a right-wing academy in Lazio, Italy, were part of a broader campaign to counter Francis’s reforms and promote conservative Catholic values.
• Despite criticism from some conservative factions, Francis maintained high approval ratings among Republican-leaning Catholics, with 70% viewing him favorably in a February Pew poll.