Wall Street Journal Sparks Outrage with “Woke” Insult Toward First American Pope Robert Francis Prevost
Vatican City – In an unexpected twist that has sent shockwaves across religious, political, and media circles, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) is facing mounting backlash for what many are calling a “woke and deeply disrespectful” jab at Pope Robert Francis Prevost — the first American to ascend to the papacy.
The controversial moment came after the Journal published an op-ed questioning Pope Prevost’s stance on certain global social justice issues. The article, titled “Pope Prevost and the Church of Progressive Politics,” criticized the newly elected pontiff for his outspoken support for climate action, refugee rights, and income redistribution, labeling his approach as “politically fashionable but theologically shallow.”
What stunned readers even more was the article’s characterization of the Pope as “more social worker than spiritual shepherd” — a line that many Catholics and religious scholars took as a blatant insult not just to Pope Prevost but to the entire American Catholic community.
A Papacy of Firsts
Pope Robert Francis Prevost, formerly Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, was elected in 2025 following the historic resignation of Pope Francis. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Prevost made history as the first American to hold the papacy, and his election was seen as a moment of pride for Catholics in the United States and across the Americas.
Known for his humble demeanor and a strong emphasis on service to the marginalized, Pope Prevost has carried forward the legacy of Pope Francis with added urgency on environmental stewardship, interfaith dialogue, and social equity.
Within his first 100 days, Pope Prevost launched a global “Church of the Poor” initiative aimed at restructuring Vatican finances to better support humanitarian missions in war-torn and impoverished regions. It’s these efforts that seem to have triggered the Journal’s scathing critique.
Public Backlash
The backlash to the op-ed was immediate and intense. Prominent Catholic voices, theologians, and even some conservative figures expressed dismay at the tone and implication of the article.
Cardinal Joseph Malley of Boston responded on X (formerly Twitter):
“The Holy Father deserves respect, not political spin. Disagreement is part of journalism. Disdain is not.”
Meanwhile, Sister Helen Martinez, a well-known social activist nun from California, called the piece “a disgraceful attempt to paint compassion as weakness.”
“The Pope is not ‘woke’—he’s awake to the suffering in the world. And that’s what faith looks like.”
Even outside religious circles, political leaders weighed in. Senator Marco Rubio criticized the Journal’s language as “reductive and intentionally inflammatory.”
“You don’t have to agree with the Pope’s views on policy to recognize the global influence of his moral leadership.”
WSJ Responds
In response to the growing controversy, The Wall Street Journal issued a brief statement defending the op-ed under the banner of editorial freedom:
“Our opinion section provides space for a wide range of views. While we understand the reaction to this particular article, we stand by the right to critically analyze public figures, including those in religious leadership.”
The paper has so far declined to issue an apology or retract any part of the article.
Dividing the Faithful?
The episode has ignited yet another debate within the Catholic Church: can a Pope be politically active without being seen as partisan? And does advocacy for justice and equality automatically trigger backlash in a polarized media landscape?
For now, Pope Prevost has not responded publicly to the article, maintaining his focus on pastoral duties and interfaith peace-building initiatives.
As the world watches the first American pope navigate both spiritual and geopolitical tensions, one thing is clear: his presence is stirring powerful reactions—both in reverence and resistance.
