"Pope Leo XIV’s Old Tweets on Donald Trump Resurface After Historic Election"

 

History was made in St. Peter’s Square this week as white smoke billowed above the Sistine Chapel and Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-born prelate, emerged onto the central balcony of the Vatican Basilica as Pope Leo XIV—the first American to ever assume the papacy. The joy and celebration of the moment, however, have been accompanied by scrutiny, especially from online commentators and media outlets digging into his digital past.

Within hours of his election, tweets from Pope Leo XIV's now-deactivated Twitter account began circulating widely—especially those that directly or indirectly referenced former U.S. President Donald J. Trump. The tweets, dating from 2016 to 2020, have become a source of debate: some celebrate them as evidence of moral clarity, while others claim they are signs of political bias unbecoming a spiritual leader.

A Voice for the Marginalized

Before taking the name Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Prevost had a long history of working with marginalized communities in Latin America, particularly in Peru, where he served as bishop for over a decade. During that time, he was known for his vocal advocacy for indigenous rights, environmental justice, and pastoral care rooted in liberation theology.

It was in this spirit, observers note, that his tweets were written—not out of partisanship, but from a commitment to Catholic social teaching.

In one widely shared tweet from June 2018, he wrote:

“A nation is judged not by its wealth but by how it treats the least among it. Tearing children from their parents at the border is not policy—it’s cruelty. #GospelValues”

The post, referring to the Trump administration’s controversial family separation policy, drew attention at the time but has gained new relevance in light of his ascension to the Holy See.

Another tweet from November 2020 read:

“When truth becomes negotiable and power justifies deceit, we must recall Christ’s words: ‘The truth will set you free.’ No leader is above this call.”

Though not naming Trump directly, the timing and tone led many to interpret it as a response to efforts to overturn the 2020 U.S. presidential election results.

Vatican Cautiously Silent

The Vatican press office declined to comment on the tweets, stating only that "Pope Leo XIV's digital communications as a cardinal reflected his pastoral concern and commitment to Catholic teaching." Vatican insiders, however, suggest that Leo XIV’s election reflects a shift among the College of Cardinals toward a pope who will be both socially conscious and diplomatically firm.

“His views were always aligned with the Gospel,” said Fr. Santiago Alvarez, a theologian at the Pontifical Gregorian University. “These tweets are less about American politics and more about global moral leadership. He challenged systems of injustice wherever he saw them.”

A Polarizing Online Reaction

Public reaction, especially in the United States, has been mixed. Conservative commentators have accused Pope Leo XIV of bringing "American liberalism" into the papacy. Right-leaning news outlets have questioned whether the tweets could undermine his ability to lead a politically diverse global church.

Yet others see the tweets as a breath of fresh air.

“This is a pope who speaks clearly, even if it ruffles feathers,” said Sister Colleen Martin, a Catholic educator in Boston. “He’s not afraid to call out injustice, even when it’s politically inconvenient.”

Interestingly, a counter-trend has also emerged on social media: Catholics who voted for Trump in the past but still support Pope Leo XIV, citing his integrity and lifetime of service.

“I may not agree with every tweet,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter), “but I trust his heart. He's not in this for politics. He’s in it for the Church.”

A Modern Papacy Begins

The resurfacing of the tweets has reignited a broader conversation about the role of digital presence in modern religious leadership. Pope Leo XIV is not the first pope to have had a Twitter account—his predecessors, including Pope Francis, maintained official papal handles. But Leo XIV’s personal, pre-papal tweets mark a new era in transparency and engagement.

“He’s a pope formed in the age of social media,” said Elisabetta Grimaldi, a Vatican analyst. “That changes how people perceive him. He comes across as relatable, maybe even prophetic in how he used platforms to raise moral concerns.”

Since his election, Pope Leo XIV has not addressed the tweets directly, but during his first homily as pope, he made a pointed remark that some believe spoke to the controversy:

“A shepherd must never fear the wolves. If speaking truth invites criticism, so be it—Christ was criticized, too.”

What Comes Next?

As Pope Leo XIV begins his pontificate, many questions remain. Will he continue to be as outspoken as pope as he was a cardinal? Will his previous remarks complicate relations with political leaders? And how will he navigate the intersection of faith and politics in a world more polarized than ever?

For now, what is clear is that the first American pope arrives at the throne of St. Peter not as a blank slate, but as a man with a documented history of moral engagement—and the courage to voice his convictions, even online.

Whether his past tweets will define his papacy or simply mark the beginning of a new chapter in digital-age Catholicism remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Pope Leo XIV is not afraid to speak truth to power, even when it echoes across the internet.