Pope's social media entries reveal glimpses into his political perspectives
In the modern world, even the sacred walk the digital trail. The election of the new chap at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV, set fingers a-typing in no time last week, stirring quite the commotion on the right side of the political spectrum.
Before becoming the big cheese in the Catholic kitchen, Cardinal Robert Prevost occasionally dabbled in social media, sharing messages that seemed to criticize Donald Trump, JD Vance, and their ways of thinking.
His latest post on X came in April, where he shared a comment from a Catholic pundit slamming Trump and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele for laughing about the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia of Maryland. The post connected to an article published by the Catholic Standard, in which Bishop Evelio Menjivar asked the faithful about Abrego Garcia: "Is your conscience not troubled? Why stay silent?"
In February, Prevost linked to articles critical of Vance, including one from the National Catholic Reporter. Prevost echoed the headline on X: "JD Vance is mistaken: Jesus doesn't tell us to rate our love for others." The article argued that Vance misconstrued the essence of Christian love, by prioritizing the near and dear over the foreigners in his Fox News interview.
The White House responded to Prevost's election by directing NBC News to Vance's X post.
Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019 and crossed paths with Pope Francis the day before he passed away, congratulated Prevost on becoming the first American pope. "I'm certain millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his success as Pope Leo XIV," Vance wrote on X.
Other posts from Prevost's X account suggested support for protecting immigrants, reducing gun violence and tackling the climate crisis.
After the Las Vegas mass shooting in October 2017, Prevost shared a post from Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., that stated: "To my colleagues: your cowardice to act cannot be whitewashed by thoughts and prayers. No resolution until we act."
In 2017, Prevost reposted a message that defended immigrants who entered the United States illegally as children, known as Dreamers. "I stand with the #Dreamers and all who fight for a fair and just immigration system," the post said.
Within hours of his X account going live, it had acquired more than 200,000 followers.
However, Prevost was not overly prolific on X, and much of what he shared was quite standard Catholic fare, offering only a partial glimpse into his political standpoints.
Some conservative commentators have already pounced on Prevost's posts and comments.
Right-wing commentator Laura Loomer slammed Leo's politics. "Just another Marxist mannequin in the Vatican," Loomer wrote on X.
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk showed more measured reactions to Prevost's election. "Let's just say, not so great tweets about supporting open borders. We'll see about that. Also, some George Floyd stuff I'm not too hot about," Kirk said in a video on X. "Overall, it seems like he's a warrior for pro-life causes. There's much to learn about this pope. I just hope he'll be a strong advocate for national sovereignty."
In 2020, Prevost shared tweets offering prayers and a message of support for Floyd, whose death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer sparked a national conversation on race and policing.
Other Republicans, like former President George W. Bush, had more positive reactions. Bush said in a statement that it was a "momentous and hopeful time for Catholics in America and for the world's faithful."
Democratic former President Joe Biden also showed support for the new pope on X: "We have a Pope - God bless Pope Leo XIV of Illinois. Jill and I send our congratulations."
- The election of Pope Leo XIV, a new figure at the Vatican, triggered a flurry of activity on social media, particularly on the right side of the political spectrum.
- Before his papal election, Cardinal Robert Prevost, the future Pope Leo XIV, occasionally used social media to express views that seemed critical of certain political figures, including Donald Trump and JD Vance.
- On his social media account, Prevost has been vocal about various social issues, such as supporting immigrants, reducing gun violence, and tackling the climate crisis.
- Some conservative commentators have criticized Prevost's political views, with Laura Loomer referring to him as "just another Marxist mannequin in the Vatican," whereas others, like former President George W. Bush and Democratic former President Joe Biden, have expressed their support for the new pope.
