WASHINGTON – Newly appointed Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevast, has been vocal in his criticisms of President Trump’s social media practices, particularly in relation to the Republican approach to immigration.
Before being elected by the Conclave at the Sistine Chapel, the 69-year-old Prevast was active on X, previously referred to as Twitter, sharing insights from his peers through the account @drprevost.
His final post prior to his selection was a retweet of a message from Rocco Palmo, a Catholic commentator based in Philadelphia.
The retweet expressed concern over what he deemed the unlawful deportation of U.S. residents, referencing the experiences of former undocumented Salvadoran immigrant Everio Menjivar, who questioned the moral implications of ignoring such hardships.
On February 3rd, he shared an article titled “JD Vance Is Forn: Jesus Don’t Ask Us to Rank Love for Others,” which highlighted controversial remarks made by Trump’s former vice president during a recent Fox News interview about prioritizing love within one’s community.
Prevost has been an engaged observer of U.S. politics since Trump’s initial term. In 2017, he shared a post from Palmo reflecting on America’s response to refugees, echoing sentiments from Chicago Archbishop Blaze Cupich about the country straying from its core values.
In January 2017, he also retweeted Jesuit priest James Martin, questioning the ethics of banning Syrian refugees.
His election to lead an estimated 1.4 billion Catholics came as a surprise, given that his name was not widely discussed before the two-day Conclave.
During his initial blessing, delivered in both Latin and Spanish, he acknowledged Pope Francis’ contributions and emphasized the Church’s commitment to inclusivity, inviting all people to embrace the diversity present in Vatican gatherings.
Choosing the name Leo XIV also reflects his intention to honor the legacy of Leo XIII, known for championing workers’ rights and holding the third-longest papacy from 1878 to 1903.
