Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is set to hold his first mass as pontiff while Catholics worldwide celebrate this historic moment. However, the new pope’s past social media posts have come under scrutiny, as they appear to express criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies and other controversial stances.
Before becoming pope, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost maintained a social media account that shared multiple posts criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration policies. In February, the account reposted an article from The National Catholic Reporter that criticized Vice President JD Vance’s interpretation of Catholic doctrine to justify deportation policies. The article described Vance’s interpretation as “wrong,” and the post garnered significant attention.
In April, the account under Cardinal Prevost’s name shared a statement from a Catholic writer questioning whether former President Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele acknowledged the suffering caused by their immigration policies. The post, which read, “Is your conscious not disturbed?” was a direct call to leaders to address the consequences of their actions.
The content shared by Cardinal Prevost’s account closely aligns with the positions held by Pope Francis, who frequently condemned the Trump administration’s deportation policies and treatment of migrants. In 2015, the account shared an article by Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, labeling Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric as “problematic.” Similarly, in 2018, the account reposted a comment by Cardinal Blase Cupich, condemning the Trump administration’s policy of separating migrant children from their parents as “morally indefensible.”
The account also appeared to oppose the Trump administration’s repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which had provided legal status to young adults brought to the U.S. as children. Posts under Prevost’s name shared statements from church leaders calling the repeal “heartless” and fueling “racism and nativism.”
In another instance, the account waded into the gun control debate. Following the 2017 Mandalay Bay mass shooting in Las Vegas, the account shared a post from Senator Chris Murphy criticizing lawmakers for failing to pass gun control legislation. The statement was a stark contrast to the Trump administration’s position on gun rights, further positioning Prevost as a progressive voice within the Catholic Church.
Despite the account’s apparent criticism of Trump-era policies, the former president congratulated the new pope, stating he looked forward to meeting him. Vice President JD Vance, who met with Pope Francis before his death, also expressed well wishes, calling the election of the first American pope a historic moment.
However, not all Trump allies were pleased with the election. Steve Bannon, a prominent Trump supporter who has pushed for the Church to adopt more conservative stances, described Prevost as “one of the most progressive” candidates prior to his election.
While much of the account’s content focused on American politics, the majority of posts addressed Catholic doctrine, social justice, and religious teachings. Many were in Spanish, sharing announcements from the Peruvian Episcopal Conference and the Vatican, as well as faith-based messages and updates on the cardinal’s travels.
Some posts also highlighted lighter topics, such as a Catholic News Service article listing the best Christmas movies. The account appears to have been operational since 2011, primarily sharing religious content, faith reflections, and information about the Order of Saint Augustine, of which Prevost is a member.
As Pope Leo XIV prepares to hold his first mass, Catholics worldwide are watching closely to see how the new pontiff will navigate his role amidst political scrutiny. While his past social media activity suggests a progressive stance on immigration, social justice, and gun control, his leadership will ultimately determine the direction of the Catholic Church under his papacy.
For now, the world awaits Pope Leo XIV’s first public address as the first American pope, a momentous occasion that comes at a time of significant political and social division.
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