Louis Prevost, the older brother of Pope Leo XIV, has drawn scrutiny for his social media posts expressing strong political views, particularly his support for former President Donald Trump and criticism of Democrats. The Florida resident has acknowledged making derogatory comments about Democrats online before his brother’s papal election.
In an interview on “Piers Morgan Uncensored” on May 12, 2025, Louis Prevost responded to criticism regarding his social media activity. “I posted it and I wouldn’t have posted it if I didn’t kind of believe it,” he stated regarding his controversial posts about Democratic politicians.
The 71-year-old Navy veteran expressed regret about the timing of his posts, indicating he had no advance knowledge of his brother’s impending papal election. Prevost acknowledged that since learning of his brother’s new role, he has remained quiet and restrained his public commentary to avoid creating unnecessary controversy for the newly elected pontiff.
Prevost characterized himself as a “MAGA type” with strong political beliefs but emphasized his desire to avoid generating negative publicity for Pope Leo XIV. He expressed concern about not wanting to create additional challenges for his brother, who would already face significant responsibilities as head of the Catholic Church without dealing with media attention regarding his family’s political statements.
President Trump publicly praised both Pope Leo XIV and Louis Prevost during a meeting with House Republicans on May 20, 2025. Trump described Louis as a “major MAGA fan” and expressed his intention to meet with him at the White House. The president indicated his positive feelings toward both the pope and his brother, stating his desire to shake hands and embrace Louis Prevost.
Later that same day, Trump and Vice President JD Vance met with Louis Prevost and his wife Deborah in the Oval Office, according to a photo posted by presidential special assistant Margo Martin.
Louis Prevost, who resides in Port Charlotte, Florida, attended his brother’s inaugural Mass on May 18, 2025, sitting beside Second Lady Usha Vance. He also participated in the U.S. delegation’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV on May 19, joining Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the official visit to the Vatican.
The eldest of the three Prevost brothers, Louis has conducted multiple media interviews since his brother’s election as the first American-born pope. He described his emotional reaction to watching the papal announcement on television, recognizing his brother’s name when the announcement began and experiencing overwhelming excitement about the historic moment.
During interviews with CBS News and other outlets, Louis shared childhood memories of his brother, noting that the future pope displayed religious inclinations from an early age. He recalled how his brother would conduct mock masses and distribute communion as a child while other siblings engaged in typical childhood games and activities.
Despite the papal election’s significance, Louis maintains he intends to treat his brother as family rather than differently due to his new ecclesiastical position. He expressed uncertainty about future access to his brother given the pope’s demanding schedule and security requirements, while emphasizing his continued view of Pope Leo XIV as his younger sibling.
The social media controversy surrounding Louis Prevost highlights the challenges facing papal families when thrust into the international spotlight. Media outlets discovered his political posts after Pope Leo XIV’s election, leading to questions about potential embarrassment for the Vatican and the Catholic Church’s leadership.
Louis Prevost’s political views and social media activity represent a departure from the typically apolitical stance expected of papal family members. His acknowledgment of restraining future commentary suggests awareness of his brother’s position, requiring careful consideration of public statements that might reflect on the papacy.
