Pope Leo XIV's elevation to the papacy has drawn fresh scrutiny over a trail of social media posts he shared before his election, revealing past criticisms of former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, as well as a focus on issues such as immigration, gun violence, and racial justice.
Shortly after Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the first American pope on Thursday, several posts from his X account surfaced, sparking reaction across the political spectrum. In one recent post from mid-April, Prevost shared an article from the Catholic Standard that condemned Trump and El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele for laughing during a discussion about the deportation of Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The article, authored by Washington, D.C. auxiliary bishop Evelio Menjivar, asked, "Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?"
Prevost also reposted an opinion column in February from the National Catholic Reporter titled, "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others." The piece challenged Vance's televised assertion that Christians should prioritize those closest to them before extending compassion to foreigners.
While the Vatican has not confirmed the authenticity of the X account, its contents and timestamps align with public statements made by Prevost and others in Catholic leadership. Vatican officials and Prevost's prior dioceses in Illinois and Peru did not respond to requests for comment.
Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, congratulated the new pope on X, writing, "I'm sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!" Trump also responded on Truth Social, saying, "It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope... I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV."
Other past posts attributed to Prevost include a 2017 retweet of Sen. Chris Murphy (D., Conn.) that read: "Your cowardice to act cannot be whitewashed by thoughts and prayers," in the wake of the Las Vegas mass shooting. In 2020, the account expressed sympathy after the death of George Floyd, stating, "We need to hear more from leaders in the Church, to reject racism and seek justice."
One 2017 post showed support for immigrants brought to the U.S. as children: "I stand with the #Dreamers and all people who are working toward an immigration system that is fair, just, and moral."
The posts have drawn criticism from some conservative commentators. Far-right figure Laura Loomer wrote on X, "Just another Marxist puppet in the Vatican." Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk said, "Let's just say, not so great tweets about having some willingness for open borders... But overall, it seems like he's a pro-life warrior."
Despite the controversy, other conservative figures took a more positive stance. Former President George W. Bush called the moment "historic and hopeful," and President Joe Biden wrote, "Habemus papam - May God bless Pope Leo XIV of Illinois. Jill and I congratulate him and wish him success."
