Cardinal Robert Prevost’s X Activity Before Becoming Pope Leo XIV: A Window into His Views
By [Your Name], Religion Correspondent, May 9, 2025
Vatican City – The election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025, marked a historic moment, making him the first American and Peruvian pontiff. As the world adjusts to this new chapter in the Catholic Church, attention has turned to Prevost’s social media presence on X, where, under the handle @drprevost, he shared insights into his pastoral work, social justice commitments, and occasional critiques of political figures before his elevation to the papacy. These posts, now under scrutiny, offer a rare glimpse into the mind of a man who balanced humility with outspokenness, shaping his path from a Chicago-born missionary to the 267th Bishop of Rome.
A Modest but Impactful Presence
Prevost’s X account, verified by Reuters as authentic through confirmations from the Vatican and the Diocese of Chiclayo, was active but low-key compared to other cardinals. His posts, primarily in English and Spanish, reflected his decades-long ministry in Peru, his role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops (2023–2025), and his alignment with Pope Francis’s focus on the poor, migrants, and environmental stewardship. Unlike his predecessor, who avoided social media, Prevost used X to amplify messages of faith, justice, and compassion, though he maintained a reserved tone, avoiding the spotlight.
The account, @drprevost, has been preserved but is no longer active since his election, per Vatican protocol for new popes. The final posts, as noted by Chicago journalist Heather Cherone (@HeatherCherone), were made shortly before the conclave, including prayers for Pope Francis’s health during his March 2025 hospitalization. Below is an overview of key themes and notable posts from Prevost’s X activity before becoming Pope Leo XIV, drawn from reports and public sentiment on the platform.
Social Justice and Anti-Racism
One of Prevost’s most significant X moments came during the 2020 global racial justice movement following George Floyd’s killing. On May 30, 2020, he retweeted posts urging the Church to confront racism, adding his own call: “We need to hear more from leaders in the Church, to reject racism and seek justice.” This stance, rooted in his work with marginalized communities in Peru, resonated with progressive Catholics but drew criticism from conservative commentators who later labeled him a “Marxist” after his papal election. His posts on racism underscored a commitment to social justice, a theme echoed in his first papal address, where he called for “building bridges” and “closeness to the suffering.”
Critiques of Trump and Vance
Prevost’s X activity occasionally ventured into U.S. politics, particularly regarding immigration and Christian ethics. He shared posts critical of the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies, including a 2019 retweet condemning family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border. In February 2025, as a cardinal, he shared a National Catholic Reporter article titled “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” challenging Vice President JD Vance’s January 29, 2025, Fox News comment about prioritizing love for family and country over global concerns. Prevost’s accompanying post stated, “Jesus’ call to love is universal, not ranked.”
These posts sparked backlash from MAGA supporters after his election. Far-right commentator Laura Loomer called him “anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open borders,” while Charlie Kirk questioned whether he was a “pro-life warrior” or an “open borders globalist.” President Trump, however, congratulated Prevost, expressing pride in the first American pope, while Vice President Vance posted a diplomatic message wishing him success. Prevost’s voting record, showing participation in both Democratic and Republican primaries in Chicago, suggests a nuanced political engagement rather than partisanship.
Support for Migrants and the Environment
Prevost’s time in Peru, where he became a naturalized citizen in 2015, shaped his advocacy for migrants. He frequently posted about supporting Venezuelan immigrants in Peru, earning praise from local communities. A 2021 post read, “The Church must walk with migrants, sharing their struggles and hopes.” His environmental stance aligned with Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’, with a 2024 post emphasizing the need to move “from words to action” on climate change, citing the Vatican’s shift to solar panels and electric vehicles. These themes carried into his papal name, Leo XIV, evoking Pope Leo XIII’s social justice legacy.
Church Reform and Inclusion
Prevost’s X posts also hinted at his views on Church reform. In 2023, he praised Pope Francis’s decision to include women in the Dicastery for Bishops, writing, “Their perspective enriches our mission.” On LGBTQ+ issues, his posts were less definitive. He supported Francis’s 2023 declaration allowing blessings for same-sex couples but added that bishops should adapt to “local contexts and cultures,” a caveat that drew mixed reactions. A 2012 speech he shared on X, criticizing media portrayals of “homosexual lifestyles” and “alternative families,” resurfaced, prompting concern from progressive groups about his stance as pope.
Pastoral and Personal Touches
Despite his global role, Prevost’s X feed often reflected his pastoral roots. He shared photos from Peru, including a 2019 birthday celebration in Chiclayo and a 2024 anniversary Mass in Chulucanas, highlighting his connection to local communities. Posts about his Augustinian order emphasized humility, with one 2022 tweet quoting St. Augustine: “For you, I am a bishop, but with you, I am a Christian.” After Pope Francis’s death on April 21, 2025, Prevost posted calls for prayers, including one during a March 3 Rosary in St. Peter’s Square.
Brother Richie Yap, a De La Salle Brother, shared photos on X of Prevost leading a 2014 retreat in Rome, noting his humility as Prior General of the Augustinians. Another user, @dailyguardianph, posted images of a young Prevost in Peru, captioned, “No one knew then that this man… would one day wear the white.” These sentiments reflect the personal warmth recalled by peers like Rev. Mark Francis, who described him as “calm, compassionate, and not a showboat.”
Controversy and Criticism
Prevost’s X activity wasn’t without controversy. His posts resurfaced allegations of mishandling sexual abuse cases in Peru and Chicago. A 2020 tweet defending the Diocese of Chiclayo’s transparency was criticized after three women accused the diocese of covering up abuse by a priest. The Vatican and diocese denied Prevost’s direct involvement, but the issue persists as a challenge for his papacy. Conservative X users, like Loomer, seized on his political posts to paint him as a “Marxist puppet,” while progressive Catholics expressed cautious optimism about his reformist leanings.
A Digital Legacy Under Scrutiny
Prevost’s X posts, though limited, reveal a leader shaped by his Peruvian mission, Augustinian values, and Francis’s vision. As @cfishman noted on X, the irony is that Prevost didn’t “clean up” his social media before the conclave, leaving a candid digital footprint for a job where every word is scrutinized. His posts show a commitment to the poor, migrants, and Church reform, tempered by cautious stances on divisive issues like LGBTQ+ rights. As Pope Leo XIV, his X activity has ceased, but its echoes—celebrated by some, criticized by others—will shape perceptions of his papacy.
Sources: Reuters, CNN, Newsweek, The New York Times, BBC, AP News, X posts from @HeatherCherone, @dailyguardianph, @rapplerdotcom, @cfishman