Pope Leo XIV reactivated the papal X account on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, launching a series of posts advocating for peace and denouncing global conflicts. The American pontiff, elected a few days after Pope Francis’s passing, swiftly established his online presence and communicated his commitment to world peace.
At around 8 a.m. Eastern Time, Pope Leo XIV sent his first message from the @Pontifex account, greeting followers with words from Jesus Christ. “Peace be with you all!” he stated. “This is the first greeting spoken by the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd. I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, and among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world.”
Following a 90-minute pause, the Pope resumed with six tweets in a span of 13 minutes—a style reminiscent of President Donald Trump on Truth Social.
“There is so much violence and so many wars in our world!” Pope Leo XIV wrote in one post. “Amid this horror that should provoke outrage—as people die in the name of military conquest—stands the call of Christ, who repeats: ‘Peace be with you!'”
The Pope called on global leaders, stating that the Vatican is prepared to facilitate peace talks. He emphasized the Holy See’s readiness to help adversaries meet and work towards restoring the dignity that peace offers. He urged leaders to engage in dialogue, stating, “Let us meet, let us talk, let us work toward peace.”
These statements align with the themes the Pope has focused on since his election on May 8. In his early public appearances, he has consistently highlighted concerns about ongoing conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the war in Gaza, and India-Pakistan tensions.
The Pope’s active social media approach marks a change from his previous reserved style. As Cardinal Robert Prevost, Leo was known as a quiet and moderate church leader, contrasting with Pope Francis, known for outspoken advocacy and breaking with tradition.
On May 11, during his first Sunday blessing from St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV reiterated his calls for peace to around 100,000 gathered faithful.
The Pope expressed concern for Ukraine, emphasizing the suffering there and urging efforts to secure a just and lasting peace. This followed his May 12 phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, offering personal support for conflict resolution.
The Pope also addressed concerns about Gaza, calling for “an immediate ceasefire,” provision of “humanitarian aid to the exhausted civilian population,” and the release of all hostages. He welcomed the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, expressing hope for a lasting accord, while acknowledging “there are so many other conflicts in the world.”
Though Leo’s rapid tweeting may seem unexpected for a pontiff previously low-profile on social media, Vatican officials confirmed he plans to remain active on X and Instagram. According to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, the papal accounts managed by Pope Francis had around 50,000 posts and over 27 billion views in 2020.
Pope Leo XIV’s use of the @Pontifex account continues a tradition started by Pope Benedict XVI, who joined Twitter in December 2012 at age 84. The account now has over 52 million followers across nine languages.
Uniquely, Pope Leo XIV was active on X before his papacy. His personal account, @drprevost, started in August 2011, has drawn scrutiny since his election. Past posts, including criticisms of Vice President J.D. Vance and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, have stirred controversy among conservative Catholics.
In March 2025, then-Cardinal Prevost shared an article criticizing Vice President Vance for allegedly misrepresenting Catholic teaching to support mass deportation policies. “JD Vance is wrong,” he wrote. Less than a month before becoming pope, he retweeted content challenging the Trump administration’s approach to deporting undocumented migrants without due process.
These past statements have drawn backlash from some conservative circles, with certain right-wing commentators accusing the new pontiff of being “anti-MAGA” and suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” However, the Pope’s focus appears to have shifted firmly toward promoting dialogue and peace on a global scale since assuming his new role.
Pope Leo XIV chose his papal name in homage to Pope Leo XIII, known for pioneering Catholic social teaching during the first industrial revolution. The current Pope seems focused on similar modern challenges, like artificial intelligence and human dignity.
During a meeting with journalists on Monday, Pope Leo XIV further emphasized his commitment to peace-oriented communication. He emphasized the importance of communication that prioritizes listening and amplifies the voices of the weak and voiceless, rather than relying on loud and forceful expression. He urged people to disarm their words as a step toward contributing to the disarmament of the world.
The Pope’s active social media presence and public peace advocacy suggest dialogue and reconciliation will be central themes of his papacy. Through strategic social media use, Pope Leo XIV aims to spread his peace message beyond traditional Catholic audiences into the broader digital space.
