TENSION IN THE VATICAN: Cardinals Call for Boycott of Newly Elected American Pope Leo XIV Amid Allegations of Division and Ideological Extremism

By Isabella M. Ferretti | International Desk – Vatican City | May 9, 2025

A historic rupture is threatening the unity of the Catholic Church as an unprecedented group of senior cardinals has called for a formal boycott of Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected pontiff and the first American to ascend to the papal throne.

The boycott, described by insiders as “the most direct rebellion against papal authority in over a century,” comes just days after the former Cardinal Jonathan Burke of New York was elected in a surprisingly close conclave, reportedly decided by only a handful of votes.

A Papacy Already Under Siege

Within hours of the white smoke billowing over St. Peter’s Square, murmurs of dissent began to spread. Now, several cardinals—many from Latin America, Europe, and Africa—have gone public with their discontent, accusing Pope Leo XIV of being “a dangerously politicized figure who threatens the doctrinal cohesion and moral mission of the Church.”

“This is not about nationality. This is about ideology,” stated Cardinal Luis Herrera of Colombia, one of the signatories of the boycott letter. “We cannot allow the Chair of Peter to become an extension of any nation’s political culture—especially not one as polarized as the United States.”

The cardinals’ statement, circulated internally and leaked to the Italian press on Wednesday night, claims that then-Cardinal Burke’s rise to power was supported by a coalition of conservative bishops with strong ties to American political interest groups. Some Vatican watchers have even described his election as a “coup of conscience”, orchestrated to reverse the liberal reforms of Pope Francis.

A Deeply Divided Church

The source of the unrest lies in Leo XIV’s polarizing public record.

As Archbishop of New York, Burke became known for fiery sermons denouncing what he called the “tyranny of secularism”, his refusal to host LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in diocesan facilities, and his vocal skepticism about climate change. In one now-infamous 2023 address, he claimed that “the Gospel has been hijacked by environmental ideologues and global technocrats.”

Such rhetoric alarmed moderate and progressive Catholics around the world, many of whom now fear that his elevation signals a sharp conservative backlash within the Vatican hierarchy.

“Pope Leo XIV has every right to speak boldly,” said Sister Antonia Králová, a Czech theologian based in Rome. “But boldness without compassion becomes authoritarianism. The danger is not his American roots, but his confrontational style.”

Global Fallout

In Germany, several bishops aligned with the so-called “Synodal Path” have suspended cooperation with the Vatican, while in Brazil and the Philippines, local churches are urging “discernment” before accepting Leo XIV’s leadership. In Nigeria, the influential Archbishop of Abuja released a carefully worded statement calling for “unity under Christ, not ideology.”

The Vatican press office has issued a brief response dismissing the boycott as “regrettable but not canonically binding.” Still, tensions are palpable. Rumors of potential resignations and administrative deadlock within the Curia are growing.

The Pope Responds

In his first major public appearance as pope, Leo XIV addressed the turmoil directly from the loggia of St. Peter’s:

“I did not seek this office. I accepted it as a servant of Christ. Those who oppose me must not forget that our Lord Himself was opposed. I will not waver in truth.”

While his supporters cheered, critics were quick to point out the absence of conciliatory language in his message. No mention was made of building bridges or healing wounds.

What’s Next for the Catholic Church?

Historians are already comparing this crisis to previous ruptures in papal history—the Avignon Papacy, the Reformation, and even the modernist controversies of the early 20th century. Yet this moment feels uniquely modern: a global Church grappling with questions of nationalism, digital influence, and theological authority—all under the eyes of a divided and hyper-connected world.

“This is more than a Catholic crisis,” said Dr. Emilio Navarro, a religious sociologist at the University of Salamanca. “It’s a global struggle between tradition and transformation, certainty and dialogue.”

Whether Pope Leo XIV can weather this storm—or whether his papacy will be short-lived—is the question echoing in every cathedral and chancery across the world.