Hours after his brother Louis Prevost visited the White House and took a photo in the Oval Office, with Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, Pope Leo XIV tweeted about Gaza, and it wasn't the first time he had openly expressed political opinions opposite to the current administration.
Actually, when Francis Prevost made history as the first American-born pontiff, his election was hailed by many as a continuation of his predecessor, Pope Francis' progressive legacy, emphasizing unity, compassion, and social justice.
In contrast, his brother's inflammatory social media presence starkly contrasts with the new pope's message of inclusivity.
Diverging paths
Pope Leo XIV, known for his missionary work in Peru and commitment to the marginalized, has consistently advocated for policies that align with social justice principles. His inaugural address emphasized the need to combat global crises such as inequality, climate change, and xenophobia, implicitly challenging nationalist ideologies, also expressing interests in continuing Francis' progressive stance towards members of the LGBTQ+ community within the church.
He had also been critical of the Trump administration's policies, especially on immigration, on his social media. On the social media platform X, Leo had shared a post supporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran immigrant illegally deported by ICE in March, and has called for peace in Gaza and Ukraine.
The situation in the Gaza Strip is increasingly worrying and painful. I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entry of dignified humanitarian aid and to bring an end to the hostilities, whose heart-rending price is borne by children, the elderly, and the sick.
— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) May 21, 2025
On the other hand, Louis Prevost, a resident of Port Charlotte, Florida, in a majority Republican county, has been an outspoken supporter of the MAGA movement. His social media posts have included derogatory remarks about Democratic leaders, anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments, and support for conspiracy theories. One particularly controversial post referred to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as a "drunk c*nt," drawing widespread criticism.
Louis also took his wife to meet the President and Vice President at the White House today.
In another post, he accused former President Barack Obama of "longing for the total destruction of our way of life and turning this country into a dictatorship, and a racist one on top of it".
Public scrutiny and personal reflection
Following his brother's ascension to the papacy, Louis Prevost faced intense public scrutiny. In an interview with Piers Morgan, he defended his previous statements but acknowledged the impact of his posts and expressed a desire to "tone it down," recognizing that his words could reflect poorly on the pope. Despite this, he maintained his political beliefs, stating, "He knows I am who I am... I'm probably not going to change."
The Vatican has not publicly commented on Louis Prevost's statements, and Pope Leo XIV has not addressed his brother's views directly. However, the pope's consistent emphasis on unity and compassion suggests a clear ideological divergence between the siblings. Louis told the New York Times that the brothers "disagreed on some things."
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