Prior to being elected pontiff, Pope Leo XIV maintained an active presence on Twitter, now known as X, where he occasionally shared messages that were perceived as critical of certain policies implemented by former President Donald Trump. His social media activity has drawn attention, especially in the context of political discussions surrounding immigration and social justice.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, who is closely associated with Pope Leo XIV, appears to have an X account under the handle @drprevost. Since 2011, he has been posting, replying, and reposting various content, which includes discussions about the Vatican and broader societal issues. The profile picture for this account features a poignant image of Prevost and Pope Francis holding each other's arms while dressed in their ecclesiastical robes inside a church.
While the new pope's account boasts a total of 439 posts, the vast majority focus on updates related to the Vatican and dioceses worldwide. However, he has also ventured into political matters from time to time. His most recent post, dated April 14, shared a commentary by renowned American Catholic commentator Rocco Palmo, which criticized both Trump and Nayib Bukele, the President of El Salvador, regarding their controversial immigration policies. The post questioned the moral implications of current immigration practices, raising concerns over the suffering experienced by many.
In a recent interview with ABC News, John Prevost, Pope Leo's brother based in Chicago, emphasized that immigration is a significant issue for his brother. He expressed that the direction of the country might lead to disagreements, particularly on immigration policies. “I think that will be a challenge for him, because I think he'll say something about it, too,” John Prevost remarked, indicating that the new pope's views on immigration will likely emerge publicly.
John Prevost also commented on his brother's X account, noting, “I know that's his feelings, but I didn't know he was putting it out on social media.” The last original post from Pope Leo XIV was on February 13, where he criticized Vice President JD Vance for his interpretation of the Latin phrase ordo amoris, arguing that it suggests a hierarchy of love that prioritizes family over community. This interpretation was rebuffed in a letter sent by Pope Francis to bishops, though without directly naming Vance.
On February 3, Pope Leo XIV appeared to directly critique JD Vance's stance on immigration in a post linking to a National Catholic Reporter editorial. The article's headline, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others,” underscores the pope's commitment to advocating for marginalized communities, particularly in the context of immigration.
Despite the notable political content shared by Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican has yet to release an official statement regarding the pope's social media activity or the implications of his posts. Both Trump and Vance publicly congratulated the pope on his election via social media, with Vance expressing hope that millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for the pope’s leadership. “May God bless him!” Vance wrote on X.
As Pope Leo XIV continues to navigate his new role, it remains to be seen how his past social media presence and current commentary will influence his papacy, particularly concerning pressing issues like immigration.
