The Roman Catholic Church has appointed a new pope: American Cardinal Robert Prevost, now referred to as Pope Leo XIV. As is typical for public figures, the online community has promptly focused on his history—especially, his presence on social media.
Pope Leo XIV joined X (previously known as Twitter) with the handle @drprevost in August 2011. Instead of frequently posting original content, he mainly shared links to articles, reposted others’ opinions, and sporadically shared Catholic-themed memes. The few tweets he crafted personally were mostly administrative notifications pertaining to his duties within the Church.
Nevertheless, his reposts and shares reflect his principles and convictions.
Pro-Life Advocacy
Pope Leo XIV has unwaveringly conveyed pro-life opinions. In 2012, he disseminated a petition advocating for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to retract a mandate that required Catholic employers to include contraception in employee healthcare plans. The petition collected over 29,000 signatures and, in 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court permitted religious exceptions to the mandate.
His position remained resolute in 2016 when he shared an article positing that Hillary Clinton’s pro-choice stance played a role in her electoral defeat. He continued to circulate pro-life content in 2017, including messages from then-Vice President Mike Pence and Cardinal Timothy Dolan. He also reposted a controversial article accusing abortion providers of unethical behavior—claims that were subsequently debunked as misleading by Media Matters.
Support for Immigrant Rights
Despite sharing some conservative perspectives on abortion, Pope Leo XIV has criticized former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. In 2015, he shared a Washington Post op-ed by Cardinal Dolan denouncing Trump’s anti-immigrant language. After the 2016 election, he reposted a speech by Archbishop José H. Gomez that raised concerns for immigrant communities.
In 2017, he shared several posts denouncing bans on refugees and deportation policies, and in 2018, he shared a statement from Cardinal Blase J. Cupich condemning the separation of immigrant families at the border.
More recently, he shared articles criticizing political figures like Senator J.D. Vance for proposing a hierarchy of compassion, reaffirming the Christian ideal of universal love.
Advocacy for Gun Control
In the aftermath of the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, Pope Leo XIV reposted a statement from Cardinal Cupich advocating for improved mental health care and stricter gun regulations. He also shared a post from Senator Chris Murphy denouncing lawmakers for offering “thoughts and prayers” without enacting change.
Condemnation of Racism
Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, Pope Leo XIV was outspoken in denouncing racism. In a rare original tweet, he urged Church leaders to address racial inequity. He also shared messages of support for Floyd’s family and condemned systemic racism.
Public Health and COVID-19
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Leo XIV utilized his platform to advocate for public health. He shared updates about mask donations and even posted a humorous TikTok about social distancing. In 2021, he reposted a message from Archbishop Gomez advocating for global vaccine accessibility.
Environmental Concerns
Though less frequently, Pope Leo XIV has also commented on climate change. In 2015, he encouraged followers to sign a petition from what is now the Laudato Si’ Movement, which advocates for environmental care and divestment from fossil fuels.
Opposition to the Death Penalty and Euthanasia
In 2015, he tweeted, “It’s time to end the death penalty,” indicating his opposition to capital punishment. A year later, he shared an article opposing Canada’s decision to legalize euthanasia, in line with traditional Catholic doctrines on the sanctity of life.
Alignment with Pope Francis’ Vision
While it’s premature to predict how closely Pope Leo XIV will emulate Pope Francis, some of his posts suggest a shared progressive perspective. He has reposted Pope Francis’ messages highlighting mercy over rigidity and cautioning bishops against seeking comfort and authority.
He also shared a 2015 HuffPost article analyzing how the Church could more effectively engage younger Catholics—by supporting women in leadership, embracing global diversity, and paying closer attention to the voices of youth.
Final Thoughts
Although much of Pope Leo XIV’s social media activity is somewhat outdated, it provides insight into his values. Sharing an article doesn’t necessarily imply full endorsement, and individuals’ opinions can change over time. Still, his digital presence offers significant hints regarding the direction the Catholic Church may pursue under his guidance.