MAGA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is facing widespread backlash on social media after posting a controversial message to X (formerly Twitter) just hours after Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88. The post, perceived by many as a celebration of the Pontiff’s death, has drawn criticism from both political figures and the public.
“Today there were major shifts in global leadership. Evil is being defeated by the hand of God,” Greene wrote early Monday morning, approximately nine hours after the Pope’s death from a cerebral stroke, according to the Vatican.
Greene, who refers to herself as a “Christian nationalist,” did not clarify the target of her statement and has not responded to media inquiries. Her message followed Donald Trump’s controversial 184-word Easter post, which lashed out at his critics and further stirred controversy.
Backlash on Social Media Over Greene’s Remarks
Greene’s post quickly sparked outrage on X. Critics viewed it as an insensitive and inflammatory response to the death of a global religious leader. Among the responses:
- Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) called her “pure evil.”
- Another user wrote, “You’re a disgrace to America and the world.”
- Political commentator Jeremiah Watson warned, “Catholics elected Trump. Please don’t do this, and push them away from our winning coalition.”
The online uproar comes just days after Trump was mocked for a bizarre 6-word geography comment and called the “dumbest president ever” by critics.
Greene’s History With the Catholic Church
Marjorie Taylor Greene, 50, was born and raised Catholic. She married in a Catholic ceremony but converted to evangelical Protestantism in 2011. In a 2022 statement, she revealed she left the Catholic Church due to her belief that its leaders could not be trusted to “protect children from pedophiles,” citing the Church’s numerous abuse scandals.
While Greene acknowledged that many Catholic priests are “kind” and “brilliant,” she controversially claimed the Church’s leadership is “controlled by Satan” and rife with “criminals and abusers.
Pope Francis’ Legacy and the Mourning Period
Pope Francis’ death at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday has initiated a traditional nine-day mourning period, followed by a formal process to appoint his successor. The late Pope, known for his advocacy on climate change, refugee rights, and inclusion within the Church, leaves behind a significant global legacy.
While the Vatican and millions of Catholics mourn the passing of their spiritual leader, Greene’s remarks have added fuel to the ongoing cultural and political divide surrounding religion in American politics.